steven stern, also known as steve j. stern, is an american author born in memphis, tennessee in 1947. he is known for his fiction that draws inspiration from yiddish folklore. stern studied writing in the graduate program at the university of arkansas, where he was part of a notable group of writers that included carolyn d. wright, ellen gilchrist, lewis nordan, lee k. abbott, and jack butler. after his studies, he lived in london before returning to memphis to work at a local folklore center. it was during this time that he discovered the pinch, memphis' old jewish ghetto, and began to immerse himself in yiddish folklore. his first book, 'isaac and the undertaker's daughter', was published in 1983 and was based in the pinch. stern has received several awards for his work, including the edward lewis wallant award in 1987.
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