Sam Chiarelli Explores Perspective in Nature Writing in Assay Journal

Sam Chiarelli, a Books by Hippocampus author, was published in the fall 2017 issue of Assay: A Journal of Nonfiction Studies (4.1). His article, “Audience as Participant: The Role of Personal Perspective in Contemporary Nature Writing” takes a look at how nature writers approach perspective in their work.

Here’s a peek:

Nature writers aim to transform their readers into enlightened and active participants in conservation efforts. To enhance their calls to conservation, they select an appropriate level of narrative distance which allows their audience to become a participant in their work. The depth to which authors reveal their thoughts and emotional responses to their topic suggest not only their objectives, but also their field of study—with career scientists approaching subjects and situations in a way that trained writers often embellish in a more dramatic manner.

Read the full essay here.

Learn more about Sam’s forthcoming science and nature/memoir hybrid — and sign up for updates — at his author page.