Emma Cline

Emma Cline is an American novelist and short story writer known for her contributions to contemporary fiction. Her debut novel, "The Girls," is set in 1969 and centers on 14-year-old Evie Boyd, who becomes involved with a group of teenage girls devoted to an aspiring musician. Loosely inspired by the Manson Family, the novel received widespread critical attention and was a finalist for the Center for Fiction's First Novel Prize, the National Book Critics Circle's John Leonard Prize, and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. "The Girls" was also a New York Times Editors' Choice and the winner of the Shirley Jackson Award.

Cline's work has appeared in The New Yorker, Granta, The Paris Review, and The Best American Short Stories. She has received the Plimpton Prize from The Paris Review, an O. Henry Award, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Her story collection, "Daddy," and her novel, "The Guest," further explore themes of identity, power, and psychological complexity. "The Guest" follows a 22-year-old woman navigating the social dynamics of the Hamptons and was longlisted for the PEN/Faulkner Award.

Cline holds an MFA from Columbia University. Her novel "Switzy" was longlisted for the Booker Prize and continues her exploration of human consciousness and the complexities of personal identity. Cline's body of work is recognized for its psychological insight and its examination of desire and social dynamics, establishing her as a significant figure in American literature.