Stacey Levine, an acclaimed writer and long-time resident of Capitol Hill, has recently garnered attention as one of four finalists for the prestigious 2025 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction for her novel, Mice 1961. Levine’s extensive dedication to her craft shines through, as she spent the last eight years diligently working on this novel at the Cloud Room co-working space on weekends. Reflecting on those days, she shared, “Every weekend, I would go there and work on this novel. On the way, I’d pass all these people eating dinner out and having fun, and I was very grumpy because I had to keep working on the book.”
The hard work has certainly paid off. In addition to the Pulitzer nod, Mice 1961 received a positive review from The Washington Post, which labeled Levine a “gifted performance artist of literary fiction—part French existentialist and part comic bomb-thrower.” The novel was also included in their list of 50 Notable Works of Fiction in 2024.
Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, specifically during the time leading up to the Bay of Pigs invasion, Mice 1961 tells the poignant story of orphaned siblings Jody and Ivy, who is affectionately nicknamed “Mice” due to her albinism and the cruel bullying she endures. Their unique perspective is further enriched by their housekeeper Girtle, who provides narration from her hidden spot behind the sisters’ couch. As the trio navigates their lives, they are surrounded by a host of unconventional neighbors, all eager to partake in an elaborate neighborhood potluck. Levine’s vivid prose breathes life into her characters, describing Mice with evocative imagery such as a “white-pink creature” with “milkscape” features and a “bottomless absence of color” that casts her as “a shadow in reverse.”
Levine has a rich teaching background as well; she teaches composition, creative writing, and poetry at Seattle Central College. Throughout her career, she has authored three novels and two short story collections, received a PEN Fiction Award and The Stranger Genius Award for Literature, and has been a finalist for the Washington State Book Award twice.
In a phone interview with Capitol Hill Seattle (CHS) the day after the Pulitzer announcement, Levine expressed her astonishment at the recognition. “I was in my office at Seattle Central College. Karen Maeda Allman, a former events programmer at Elliott Bay Books, posted something general about ‘Tessa Hulls, Stacey Levine, and Pulitzer Prize.’ It didn’t make any sense to me. I hadn’t heard anything from the Pulitzer Prize Board. I still haven’t. I think maybe they’re known for being silent once they make their decisions,” she explained. The moment felt surreal to her as she shared it with a co-worker, saying, “It’s kind of hard to digest. It’s great and comes with a bit of stress.”
When asked if this particular honor felt different from her previous accolades, Levine acknowledged the significance but noted her slow-paced appreciation for such recognition. She recounted a story shared by Judy Doenges, a fellow Washington state writer, who described how her career changed after receiving a review from The New York Times. Levine remarked, “As for me, I don’t know what would come of it.”
The conversation turned to what might have contributed to the heightened attention surrounding Mice 1961. Levine attributed part of its appeal to the novel’s basis in historical events rather than fictionalized settings. “Our culture is mad for so-called true stories, which is a crock because invented stories are also true at their core,” she said. The novel is interwoven with the historical context of the Bay of Pigs invasion, an era that continues to captivate history buffs and reflects ongoing political discussions. As she said, “I’m interested in it, too. Maybe that’s why it got their attention.” Furthermore, she emphasized that the writing process was labor-intensive and aimed at deeply expressing the emotions of her characters, particularly the complexities of their lives.
The characters in the novel, especially the orphaned sisters Jody and Mice, were a significant focus in the creative process. Levine revealed that the initial concept did not include two sisters. Much of the narrative evolved organically through her writing, stating, “You just keep moving it bit by bit and making shapes. The writing process itself dictates the direction the narrative takes.”
Initially, Jody was portrayed as more erratic, but as the story progressed, Levine decided to portray her in a way that made her motivations more relatable to readers. “She has this really dependent adult sister with albinism that she has to be responsible for. The sister has a terrible and cruel nickname of ‘Mice,’” Levine explained.
The inspiration for Mice 1961 struck when she encountered old photographs of someone she knew on social media. The person’s attire sparked ideas reminiscent of a Cuban revolutionary, leading Levine to explore themes of passion and misguided beliefs about patriotism. “I had been drinking a lot of coffee when it hit me—a story about people being passionate about what they believe is best for their country, even if they’re wrong-headed. Of course, that’s us today, too,” she reflected.
Small presses have significantly shaped Levine’s publishing journey. Early on, her books were published by Sun & Moon Press and Clear Cut Press, while Verse Chorus Press later reissued her earlier works and brought Mice 1961 to market. “Yes. Verse Chorus Press was a publisher of mostly books about music, but they liked the voice-driven stories I’d written—that means a character’s interior life and voice are in the foreground and the plot is pushed to the background, or barely there,” she stated, noting that the press has roots in the Northwest literary scene.
Levine also recounted her early relationship with her first publishers, who fostered a creative outlet for art to thrive despite challenging environments. “It’s great how art thrives like weeds in environments hostile to real creativity,” she remarked.
Looking ahead, Levine has plans for the next stage of her writing career. “I’m supposed to have a book come out next year with most of my short fiction, old and new, plus two plays and two comics I made with Seattle’s great graphic novelist David Lasky,” she said. Furthermore, Levine expressed her desire to start on a new novel, although she admitted that progress has been slow thus far.
As efforts continue to engage the community, CHS encourages readers to support their mission of providing accessible neighborhood news. By subscribing for as little as $5 a month, supporters can help ensure that a dedicated team of writers and photographers can cover local stories, fostering a connected community without the need for paywalls or sign-ins.
image source from：https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2025/06/this-2025-pulitzer-finalist-wrote-her-novel-in-a-capitol-hill-coworking-space/
