Blackstone's first novel was the avant-garde The Week You Weren't Here (2005), set in Chicago in the spring of 2001.[5] Using experimental prose, the story follows Hunter Flanagan on his search for true love.[6] Next, he collaborated with Jill Talbot as co-editors of the experimental anthology The Art of Friction: Where (Non)Fictions Come Together (2008),[7] a collection exploring the creative differences between fiction and nonfiction.[8] His stories have been published in literary journals including Bridge, Evergreen Review and The Journal of Experimental Fiction.[5] His short story "Before" was published in Esquire in March 2008 as part of the magazine's Napkin Fiction series.[9]
Vintage Attraction
Set in Chicago and Greece, Blackstone's semi-autobiographical second novel Vintage Attraction is a depiction of the academia, celebrity and fine wine culture.[2] The novel is inspired by his courtship of Alpana Singh, a master sommelier and TV show host whom he would later marry. The character Peter Hapworth, a lonely 30-something adjunct creative writing professor, is based on Blackstone, and Isabelle "Izzy" Conway, who hosts a wine-tasting program, is based on Singh.[10][11][12] The novel took Blackstone four years to write.[13]
Writing for the Los Angeles Review of Books, Sabra Embry said that Vintage Attraction's fantasy vs. reality love story was poignant.[14] Reviewing for the Chicago Reader Aimee Levitt described the book as awkwardly written, and the protagonist as unsympathetic.[15]Gapers Block reviewer Ines Bellina praised the descriptions of wine, food, and local Chicago landmarks, but called the plot dull.[16] Michael Lindgren of The Washington Post called the book "a slapdash, irritating affair."[17]
Other projects
In 2010 Blackstone began serving as managing editor of Bookslut, a literary website founded by Jessa Crispin in 2002.[10][18] He has worked with writers and served as an editor for the site's monthly reviews.[10]
Blackstone married sommelier and restaurant critic Alpana Singh in 2006.[8][10][20] The couple divorced in 2014.[21] In 2016, Blackstone married Caroline Eick, a senior vice president with Philadelphia-based healthcare marketing firm Calcium.[22]
