We’re here to become.
To start as something
and become something.
Lee’s odyssey: vagabondage to manumission
from childhood homelessness in the ’60s, to adult homelessness in the ’80s, to his present career as a writer and lecturer, as told in Sleepaway School and Grand Central Winter. His is one of the great odysseys of contemporary American life and letters. Stringer was the first board member of Project Renewal who was also a former client of the facility. He is the two-time recipient of the Washington Irving Award and, in 2005, a Lannan Foundation Residency. He is a former editor of and columnist for Street News. His essays and articles have appeared in a variety of other publications, including the Nation, the New York Times, and Newsday. He lives in Mamaroneck, New York, where he also served on the board of the Mamaroneck Public Libraries.
Photo at left is Lee 19 years old in 1969 — in training to be a news cameraman.
Selected media
BBC, 2021: The paper that helped the homeless.
Sweet 4-minute mini-doc about Street News feat. Lee.
The terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.
Lee reads a graduation speech by Kurt Vonnegut.
C-SPAN, 1998: Conversation with Kurt Vonnegut
Lee Stringer talked about his book, Grand Central Winter, published by Seven Stories Press. The book is about Mr. Stringer’s life as a homeless crack addict living in New York City’s Grand Central Station. Mr. Stringer was joined by author Kurt Vonnegut.
Note: Audio issue resolves around 14:30.
NPR, 2010: Tinsel Tales
In “Homeless Christmas” Lee tells a story about love that has no end.
Neighbors: Finding Stephanie
Lee weighs in on panhandling and one particular woman who won’t go away — and doesn’t want to be found.
NPR, 2004: Learning Through Discomfort
Lee Stringer spent a decade on the streets of New York. But he's still learning that life's most uncomfortable moments can be its most important ones.
Fresh Air.
Interview with Terry Gross in 2000.
Book TV: Writing and Creativity
Kurt Vonnegut discusses his autobiographical book, Timequake. Lee Stringer discusses his book, Grand Central Winter, published by Seven Stories Press.
The Moth: Higher Powers
A writer seeks forgiveness from a drinking buddy.
New York Times, 1998: Man's Life on the Street Leads To a Book and a Sea Change
''Caverly is my real first name,'' Mr. Stringer said in a voice husky from years of crack cocaine and cigarette smoking. ''Kurt Vonnegut told me to shorten it to Lee for the book. This from a man named Vonnegut.'
New York Times, 2002: A Onetime Crack Addict Finds a New High in His Life as an Author
When Lee Stringer first smoked crack cocaine, he recalled recently, the ''feeling was like love, sex, winning the lottery and Christmas morning all in one.'' Fortunately, there was another activity that gave him a similar high: writing.