The Bay Area's independent bookstores, writer's workshops and literary events have helped cultivate a vibrant community of authors, including Amy Tan and Tobias Wolff.

Another active participant in the local literary scene is Michael Chabon, who has written 11 books including "The Yiddish Policemen's Union" and the Pulitzer Prize-winning "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay."

Michael Chabon, shown in November, finds the region's literary culture to be especially collegial. Zuma Press

Mr. Chabon, 46 years old, who moved here in 1992 and lives in Berkeley with writer-wife Ayelet Waldman and their four children, often hosts public readings, gives advice to up-and-coming writers and is involved in other literary projects in the area. He recently discussed the writer's life in the Bay Area and how it compares with other literary cities.

WSJ: The Bay Area has been home to writers such as Jack London and Jack Kerouac, who were known for their wilderness and countercultural writing. What are Bay Area writers known for these days, and how has the local literary scene evolved?

Mr. Chabon: The diversity here makes it difficult to pin down what writers here are collectively known for, but I can say it's a very vibrant and fun and collegial scene. There are all sorts of social events that occur that allow a very fluid communication between people. Part of the collegiality comes from how there is an interconnectedness among the different institutions that put on literary events.

If I were pressed and had to point at something as the embodiment of San Francisco's literary culture, I would point to Dave Eggers and his operation, which is at the heart of the scene. (Mr. Eggers, author of the best seller "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius," has founded a nonprofit focused on improving literacy.)

WSJ: What many of those writers in the past had in common was that they were poor. Can starving writers afford to be in the Bay Area these days?

Mr. Chabon: The cost of living isn't any higher here than in New York, which is filled with writers. Of course, there are some who have to move because of the high cost, but you can still lead a version of the bohemian existence in San Francisco. Now, that's not the sort of thing that suits me, but if I were to attempt the lifestyle, I'd do it in Oakland. I'm a real East Bay-er. I like having San Francisco where it is, so I can go to it and then go back home.

WSJ: How does the Bay Area literary scene compare with other cities globally, such as New York and London?

Mr. Chabon: The Bay Area's literary environment isn't a pressure cooker like it is in New York. It's the center of the publishing industry and the web of connections and relationships are very dense there. That interconnectedness allows information to flow fast. Who got paid what. Who had a falling out with whom. The speed of the gossip network is almost instantaneous.

London is even worse than New York. It's smaller and denser and everyone knows each other and hates each other—well, that's the impression I got. London has a higher degree of intensity than New York, which is several degrees higher than San Francisco.

WSJ: Which writers currently living in the Bay Area do you admire?

Mr. Chabon: There are tons of great writers here that I really admire. A lot of them are my friends and I'm afraid to name any because I don't want to upset any by not mentioning their name. But I can say Dave Eggers. I admire him a lot as a writer but more than that, the guy is my hero. He leads by example.

WSJ: Which local writers are overrated?

Mr. Chabon: Just me.

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