How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America: Essays

Why do you think Laymon incorporates various written forms in his work, both narrative and epistolary (e.g., letters and emails)? What effects do the different forms have on the reader?

What conclusions can you draw about the New York-based publishing industry from Laymon’s depiction of his experiences within it? How would you explain Brandon Farley’s behavior?

Compare Laymon’s relationship with Mississippi to that of the state’s most famous author, William Faulkner, who had once advocated for a slower approach to civil rights. Laymon remarks in the text that Mississippi is home to some of the world’s best storytellers but that race directly impacts each author’s approach to storytelling and forms of characterization. In your comparison, imagine a conversation between Laymon and Faulkner. What might they say to each other about Mississippi—both its past and its future?