Dear Committee Members

Step into the hilariously bitter world of Jason Fitger, a beleaguered professor of creative writing and literature at the struggling Payne University. In this ingeniously crafted epistolary novel, Fitger's mounting frustrations with his deteriorating department, his stagnating writing career, and his perpetually disappointing romantic life unfold through a series of increasingly scathing letters of recommendation. As the humanities department faces budget cuts while economics thrives, Fitger navigates the absurdity of academic bureaucracy and the struggles of his students with a cynical wit that is both sharp and surprisingly poignant. Each letter, whether for a talented but misguided student or a hapless colleague, becomes a miniature masterpiece of passive-aggressive commentary, revealing the depths of Fitger's disillusionment while simultaneously showcasing his enduring, if often exasperated, humanity. Schumacher masterfully uses humor to expose the challenges facing higher education and the plight of the dedicated, yet forgotten, academic.