Rebecca Makkai is an accomplished American author and short story writer, best known for her poignant and thought-provoking novels. Originally from Washington, D.C., Makkai currently resides in Chicago, IL, where she has made a significant impact on the literary scene.
Makkai's writing career took off with the release of her first novel, "The Borrower," in 2011. The book was a critical success, earning a spot on Booklist's Top Ten Debut list and garnering attention from publications such as O Magazine. Since then, Makkai has continued to make a name for herself in the literary world, with her books frequently appearing on Top Ten lists in the industry.
Makkai has also turned her talents to teaching, sharing her knowledge and passion for writing with students at Northwestern University, Lake Forest College, and Sierra Nevada College. She is also the Artistic Director of StoryStudio Chicago. In addition to her work as an author and educator, Makkai is a 2022 Guggenheim Fellow.
Makkai's most recent novel, "I Have Some Questions for You," was released in 2023 and quickly became a New York Times bestseller. Her 2018 novel, "The Great Believers," was a finalist for both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. The book also received several other prestigious awards, including the ALA Carnegie Medal, the Stonewall Book Award, the Clark Prize, and the LA Times Book Prize. The novel was also named one of the New York Times' Ten Best Books of 2018. Makkai's other works include the novels "The Borrower" and "The Hundred-Year House," as well as the collection "Music for Wartime". Four stories from this collection were featured in The Best American Short Stories.