Acclaimed Fiction Writer & Literary Innovator; MacArthur Fellow; Author of "Varieties of Disturbance"

Albany, NY, USA
Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000 Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info

Lydia Davis Biography

Lydia Davis is an American short story writer, novelist, essayist, poet, and translator known for her concise and innovative contributions to contemporary American literature. Davis is recognized for her very short stories, with some works consisting of only one or two sentences, and has been described as a master of flash fiction.

Davis's body of work includes one novel and several collections of stories, such as "Can't and Won't," as well as nonfiction collections like "Essays One" and "Essays Two." Her story collections include "The Thirteenth Woman and Other Stories," "Break It Down," which was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award, and "Varieties of Disturbance," a finalist for the National Book Award. "The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis" was listed among the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century by The New York Times. Davis has influenced a range of contemporary authors, including Jonathan Franzen, Dave Eggers, Miranda July, and David Foster Wallace.

In addition to her original fiction, Davis has established a significant career as a translator of French literature. She has translated works by Jean-Paul Sartre, Gustave Flaubert, Marcel Proust, and Maurice Blanchot, as well as biographies of Marie Curie and Alexis de Tocqueville. Her translations of Proust's "Swann's Way" and Flaubert's "Madame Bovary" have received critical acclaim. Davis's distinctive literary voice is evident in both her fiction and translation work.

Davis's achievements in literature and translation have been recognized with numerous honors, including being named a Chevalier and Officier of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government, receiving a MacArthur Foundation fellowship, the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award of Merit medal, the Man Booker International Prize, and the PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in the Short Story.

Davis is a professor emerita at the University at Albany, SUNY, and has served as a Lillian Vernon Distinguished Writer-in-Residence at New York University. She is among the few contemporary authors to have appeared in both The Best American Short Stories and The Best American Poetry series. Her work "Into the Weeds" was published by Yale University Press, further demonstrating her ongoing influence in the fields of short fiction, literary translation, and American literature.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 06/08/2026.

Lydia Davis Videos

2024 Windham-Campbell Prize Ceremony and Lecture by Lydia Davis

2024 Windham-Campbell Prize Ceremony and Lecture by Lydia Davis

The 2024 recipients receive their awards. Lydia Davis delivers the annual Windham-Campbell Lecture.

2024 Windham Campbell Lecture by Lydia Davis

2024 Windham Campbell Lecture by Lydia Davis

Lydia Davis has changed my life and is the reason I started to write. I never dared to think that writing was something I could do.

Writers Read: Lydia Davis Master Class - YouTube

Writers Read: Lydia Davis Master Class - YouTube

Excerpts from a master class in creative writing presented to creative writing students at Concordia University, in Montreal

  • How do I book Lydia Davis to speak at my event?

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  • What are the speaker fees for Lydia Davis

    Speaking fees for Lydia Davis, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Lydia Davis are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Lydia Davis, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Lydia Davis speak about?

    Lydia Davis is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Animals & Wildlife, Author, Fiction Authors, Non-Fiction Authors, Poetry
  • Where does Lydia Davis travel from?

    Lydia Davis generally travels from Albany, NY, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Lydia Davis for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Lydia Davis for your next private or corporate function.
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Lydia Davis is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Lydia Davis for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Lydia Davis generally travels from Albany, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Jennifer McGaha, Jonathan Rosen, Eric Jager, Daphne Merkin and Alvaro Enrigue. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Lydia Davis for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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