Samantha Irby

Samantha Irby is an American comedian, essayist, blogger, and television writer known for her candid humor and distinctive voice in contemporary nonfiction. Irby began her career in the blogosphere, first on MySpace and then on her widely read blog "Bitches Gotta Eat," where she built a readership through honest observations about her life and modern society. Her online success led to a literary career, with Irby publishing five essay collections that explore themes of identity, chronic illness, and pop culture.

Irby is the author of "Meaty," "New Year, Same Trash," "We Are Never Meeting in Real Life," "Wow, No Thank You," and "Quietly Hostile." Both "We Are Never Meeting in Real Life" and "Wow, No Thank You" appeared on the New York Times bestseller list, with "Wow, No Thank You" reaching the number one spot on the Paperback Nonfiction list. Irby received the Lambda Literary Award for Bisexual Nonfiction for her contributions to LGBTQ literature.

Drawing from her experiences with Crohn's disease, arthritis, and a challenging early life, Irby addresses topics such as chronic illness, poverty, and the complexities of adulthood. Her essays are recognized for blending emotional depth with humor, resonating with readers from diverse backgrounds and contributing to conversations about representation in media and literature.

In addition to her writing, Irby has worked as a writer and co-producer on several television series, including Hulu's "Shrill," the animated "Tuca & Bertie," "Work in Progress," and HBO Max's "Sex and the City" reboot "And Just Like That..." Her memoir "Meaty" was developed for television in collaboration with Abbi Jacobson and Jessi Klein for FX. Irby has also co-hosted the Chicago-based reading series "Guts & Glory" and opened for comedian Baratunde Thurston on tour. Her work has been profiled in Chicago Tribune, Chicago Reader, and Chicago Sun-Times, and she has been featured on NPR's Fresh Air and The New Yorker Radio Hour.