Sean Murphy is founder of the non-profit 1455 Lit Arts and directs the Center for Story at Shenandoah University. He has been publishing fiction, poetry, reviews (of music, movie, book, food), and essays on the technology industry for over twenty years. He has appeared on NPR’s “All Things Considered” (check it out HERE) and been quoted in USA Today, The New York Times, The Huffington Post, Forbes and AdAge. He was a longtime columnist for PopMatters, and his work has also appeared in Salon, The Village Voice, The New York Post, The Good Men Project, Writer’s Digest, Memoir Magazine, Northern Virginia Magazine, and many other publications. His poems have been widely anthologized, including the collections Revisiting the Elegy in the Black Lives Matter Era, This Is What America Looks Like, Lo-Fi Poetry Series: Poet Sounds, and Written in Arlington: Poems for Arlington, VA.

He was previously the writer-in-residence at Noepe Center for Literary Arts at Martha’s Vineyard, and in 2017 founded the arts non-profit 1455. His memoir PLEASE TALK ABOUT ME WHEN I’M GONE was released in 2013. His novel NOT TO MENTION A NICE LIFE (2015) was followed by his first two collections of non-fiction, MURPHY’S LAW, VOL. ONE and VOL. TWO (2016, 2017). His chapbooks THE BLACKENED BLUES (Finishing Line Press) and RHAPSODIES IN BLUE (Kelsay Books) were published in 2021 and 2023. His next poetry collection, KINDS OF BLUE (Kelsay Books) and his collection of short fiction THIS KIND OF MAN (Unsolicited Press) both published in 2024. He has been nominated four times for the Pushcart Prize, twice for Best of Net, and PLEASE TALK ABOUT ME WHEN I'M GONE was winner of the 2022 Memoir Prize. His podcast Some Things Considered kicked off in 2024, and has featured dozens of creatives, including best-selling authors, entrepreneurs, musicians, and critics. His Substack newsletters continue the themes of the podcast, and expand into deep dives on modern masculinity, the cultural import of music, and excerpts from his forthcoming book about progressive rock.

As a former analyst for the technology industry, Sean focused on the intersection of art and innovation, and has written extensively about the pros and cons of tech, recognizing it as both a democratizing force and also a societal disruption. Sean has interviewed myriad experts from the business, entertainment, and academic fields and his keynote "The Power of Stories" incorporates insights on the history of narrative and the ways it drives everything from education to commerce. Shortly after founding the non-profit 1455 he introduced the 14:55 Interview Series, which spoke with writers about craft, their influences, and sources of inspiration. 1455's continued programming explores the ways artists can--and should--foster inclusivity and diverse voices.

Sean believes deeply in the importance of building and nurturing communities. The primary impetus of 1455 is showcasing the work of creatives and support the micro communities spanning multiple artistic genres. In a time where industries are consolidating and info-overload makes it increasingly challenging to engage with a sustained audience, Sean is dedicated to forming creative alliances and promoting collaboration between artists, entrepreneurs, and businesses. In addition to the free programs 1455 provides, Sean has initiated a formal workshop series that allows acclaimed authors to work with aspiring writers and retain all the profits. In addition, he created MOVABLE TYPE, a free digital magazine featuring both celebrated and emerging writers. 

Sean studied English at George Mason University and has an MA in Literature. One of his thesis papers dealt with the utopian impulse in ’70s rock which, depending upon one’s perspective, at least partially explains why he opted not to purse that PhD in Cultural Studies. He’s finishing a book on all-things prog rock, inspired by his featured series “The Amazing Pudding” at PopMatters. As a critic and arts advocate, Sean has spoken with some of the remarkable musicians and writers of our time, including Vernon Reid (Living Colour); Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys); Burning Spear;  Steve Howe (Yes); Stephen Tobolowsky; Douglas Stuart (Booker Prize winning author of Shuggie Bain); Deesha Philyaw (author of the prize winning The Secret Lives of Church Ladies); Lisa Ling; S.A. Cosby, Jenna Blum;  Jane Friedman, and many others. 

Sean lives in Reston with his wife Heather and their two dogs.