Mitch Cullin facts for kids

Mitch Cullin, born on March 23, 1968, is an American writer. He has written many novels and short stories. He lives in Arcadia, California and Tokyo, Japan with his partner, Peter I. Chang. Peter often works with Mitch. Mitch's books have been translated into over 10 languages, like French, Polish, and Japanese.

Mitch Cullin's Books and Movies

Mitch Cullin is known for his interesting novels. Some of his books have even been turned into movies!

Tideland and its Film Adaptation

Mitch Cullin's novel Tideland was made into a movie in 2003. The famous director Terry Gilliam directed it. Mitch even had a small part in the film! He said he wanted to experience how Terry made the movie. But he also wanted to be surprised when he watched it later. The movie won an award called the FIPRESCI prize in 2005.

A Slight Trick of the Mind and Mr. Holmes

In 2005, Cullin released his novel A Slight Trick of the Mind. This book tells a story about Sherlock Holmes when he is old. Critics praised the book. The New York Times called Mitch "an unusually sophisticated theorist of human nature." The audiobook version of this novel won an Audie Award in 2006.

Later, in 2015, a movie based on this book came out. It was called Mr. Holmes. The famous actor Ian McKellen played Sherlock Holmes in the film.

Other Novels and Poems

Cullin's seventh novel, The Post-War Dream, was published in 2008.

In 2012, Mitch Cullin published a long poem called "The House of Special Purpose." This poem tells the story of the Romanov family during the Russian Revolution. Peter I. Chang created illustrations for the poem.

From 2012 to 2013, Cullin released his novel Everything Beautiful is Far Away online. He published it as a monthly magazine. He worked on this book with Peter I. Chang. They also featured guest artists and musicians each month, like Moby.

Mitch Cullin's Career Journey

Mitch Cullin has had an interesting career path in writing and beyond.

Early Writing and Mentors

In the mid-1990s, Mitch Cullin went to the University of Houston. There, he became friends with the author Mary Gaitskill. She taught him in several writing classes. Even after he left college, she continued to be his mentor. They have remained friends and have even appeared together at events.

Some of Mitch Cullin's early writings are kept at Syracuse University. They are part of a collection of papers from a poet and scholar named Robert S. Phillips.

Mitch Cullin is also one of the founding authors of the Red Room website. This website is a non-profit organization for writers.

Music and Film Projects

Mitch Cullin has also worked on music and film projects. He helped design the cover for musician Howe Gelb's album in 2003.

In 2004, he helped write a song called "Lift Me Up To Sweet Jesus." This song was for the soundtrack of the movie Tideland, which was based on his own novel.

Cullin has also worked as a producer and cinematographer for documentaries. He produced Peter I. Chang's film I Want to Destroy America in 2006. He was also the cinematographer and producer for Peter I. Chang's 2008 documentary Tokyo is Dreaming.

Mitch Cullin's Filmography

Mitch Cullin has been involved in several films, either as himself or in a small role.

• Tideland (2005) – He appeared as a passenger on a bus in the movie based on his novel.
• Getting Gilliam (2006) – He appeared as himself in a documentary about the making of Tideland.
• This Band Has No Members (2006) – He appeared as himself in an unreleased concert film.
• I Want to Destroy America (2006) – He was the producer and interviewer for this documentary.
• Making of Tideland (2007) – He appeared as himself in a special feature on the Tideland DVD.
• Regina Monologue (2007) – He appeared as himself in a short film.
• Q&A with Terry Gilliam and Mitch Cullin at the Hay Festival (2007) – He appeared as himself in a Q&A session.
• Tokyo is Dreaming (2008) – He was the producer and cinematographer for this documentary.
• Mr. Holmes (2015) – This movie is an adaptation of his novel A Slight Trick of the Mind.