Kristen Arnett – författare

Shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print Prize 2025 'This novel is sweet, sexy, sad, articulate, and funny' VogueCherry Hendricks might be down on her luck, but she can write the book on what makes something funny: she's a professional clown who creates raucous, zany fun at gigs all over Orlando. Her life is a mess, but she's always hustling.Cherry's luck changes when she meets Margot the Magnificent - the most successful entertainer on the circuit. By pursuing Margot's mentorship and connections, Cherry is certain she can take her act to the next level. Plus, Margot is sexy as hell.But it's not long before Cherry must decide how much she's willing to risk for Margot, and for her own explosive new act. What kind of clown does she want to be under her costume?'Unique, weird as anything, but it's also so much deeper . . . While this book will make you laugh, the story is guaranteed to pull at your heartstrings too' Daily Express'As much heart, humour, and gritty realness as can fit between two covers' People'A funny and heartfelt tale of one woman grappling with grief, love and how to move forward' New York Times

'Messed-up families, scandalous love affairs, art, life, death and the great state of Florida in one delicious, darkly funny package. Kristen Arnett is a wickedly talented and a wholly original voice' Jami AttenbergWhat does it take to come back to life? In the wake of her father's suicide, Jessa-Lynn Morton has stepped up to manage his failing taxidermy business while the rest of the Morton family falls apart. Her mother starts sneaking into the shop to make alarming art with stuffed animals; and while her brother Milo withdraws, his wife, Brynn - the only person Jessa's ever been in love with - leaves home without a word. A string of unexpected incidents opens up the chance for the Mortons to mend: can they piece themselves together again? Kristen Arnett's breakout debut is a darkly funny family portrait; a peculiar, bighearted look at love and loss and the ways we live through them together.'This book is my song of the summer' Parul Seghal, New York Times'Wonderful' Esmé Weijun Wang, Guardian'Explores love, loss and death and is guaranteed to keep you gripped throughout' Mirror'The writing is subtle and meditative, with the tactile weight of dense fur' New Yorker

'With Teeth is a wonderfully sticky novel about motherhood, partnership, sex and love. Kristen Arnett lets her characters have the run of the place, and it's delicious fun to watch them do, say, and think things they'll regret' Emma Straub, author of All Adults Here'Sublimely weird, fluently paced, brazenly funny and gayer still' Naoise Dolan, New York Times'A darkly funny, brutally honest story about a woman undone by motherhood . . . With Teeth digs in deep and doesn't let go. I truly loved it' Jennifer Weiner, bestselling author of Mrs Everything and That SummerIf she's being honest, Sammie Lucas is scared of her son. Working from home in the close quarters of their Florida house, she lives with one wary eye peeled on Samson, a sullen, unknowable boy who resists her every attempt to bond with him. Uncertain in her own feelings about motherhood, she tries her best - driving, cleaning, cooking, prodding him to finish projects for school - while growing increasingly resentful of Monika, her confident but absent wife. As Samson grows from feral toddler to surly teenager, Sammie's life begins to deteriorate into a mess of unruly behaviour, and her struggle to create a picture-perfect queer family unravels. When her son's hostility finally spills over into physical aggression, Sammie must confront her role in the mess - and the possibility that it will never be clean again.Blending the warmth and wit of Arnett's breakout hit, Mostly Dead Things, with a candid take on queer family dynamics, With Teeth is a thought-provoking portrait of the delicate fabric of family - and the many ways it can be torn apart.

LONGLISTED FOR THE JOYCE CAROL OATES PRIZE 2022'With Teeth is a wonderfully sticky novel about motherhood, partnership, sex and love. Kristen Arnett lets her characters have the run of the place, and it's delicious fun to watch them do, say, and think things they'll regret' Emma Straub, author of All Adults Here'Sublimely weird, fluently paced, brazenly funny and gayer still' Naoise Dolan, New York Times'A darkly funny, brutally honest story about a woman undone by motherhood . . . With Teeth digs in deep and doesn't let go. I truly loved it' Jennifer Weiner, bestselling author of Mrs Everything and That SummerIf she's being honest, Sammie Lucas is scared of her son. Working from home in the close quarters of their Florida house, she lives with one wary eye peeled on Samson, a sullen, unknowable boy who resists her every attempt to bond with him. Uncertain in her own feelings about motherhood, she tries her best - driving, cleaning, cooking, prodding him to finish projects for school - while growing increasingly resentful of Monika, her confident but absent wife. As Samson grows from feral toddler to surly teenager, Sammie's life begins to deteriorate into a mess of unruly behaviour, and her struggle to create a picture-perfect queer family unravels. When her son's hostility finally spills over into physical aggression, Sammie must confront her role in the mess - and the possibility that it will never be clean again.Blending the warmth and wit of Arnett's breakout hit, Mostly Dead Things, with a candid take on queer family dynamics, With Teeth is a thought-provoking portrait of the delicate fabric of family - and the many ways it can be torn apart.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE COMEDY WOMEN IN PRINT PRIZE 2025From the New York Times bestselling author of Mostly Dead Things, a sparkling and funny new novel of entertainment, ambition, art, and love - for anyone who's ever been called funny as an insultCherry Hendricks might be down on her luck, but she can write the book on what makes something funny: she's a professional clown who creates raucous, zany fun at gigs all over Orlando. Between clowning and her shifts at an aquarium store for extra cash, she's always hustling. Not to mention balancing her judgmental mother, her messy love life, and her equally messy community of fellow performers.Things start looking up when Cherry meets Margot the Magnificent - a much older lesbian magician - who seems to have worked out the lines between art, business, and life, and has a slick, successful career to prove it. With Margot's mentorship and industry connections, Cherry is sure to take her art to the next level. Plus, Margot is sexy as hell. It's not long before Cherry must decide how much she's willing to risk for Margot and for her own explosive new act - and what kind of clown she wants to be under her suit. Equal parts bravado, tenderness and humour, and bursting with misfits, magicians and mimes, Stop Me If You've Heard This One is a masterpiece of comedic fiction that asks big questions about art and performance, friendship and community, and the importance of timing in jokes and in life.