Brando Skyhorse is an American author, born and raised in Echo Park, California. He is a graduate of Stanford University and holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of California, Irvine. Skyhorse has made a significant impact in the literary world with his works, including his debut novel, "The Madonnas of Echo Park," which won the 2011 PEN/Hemingway Award and the Sue Kaufman Prize for First Fiction from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. This novel was also selected for Barnes & Noble's Discover Great New Writers program.
Skyhorse has demonstrated his versatility as a writer by also excelling in the genre of memoirs. His memoir, "Take This Man," was published in 2014 and was recognized as an Amazon Best Book of the Month. It also received accolades from Kirkus Reviews, being honored as one of the standout nonfiction books of the year. His work in co-editing the anthology "We Wear the Mask: 15 Authentic Tales of Identity Concealment in the United States" further showcases his contribution to American literature.
Skyhorse's accomplishments have earned him prestigious recognitions such as fellowships from the Ucross Foundation and the Breadloaf Writers’ Conference. He served as the Jenny McKean Moore Writer-In-Washington at George Washington University during the 2014-2015 academic year. Currently, he holds the position of Associate Professor of English at Indiana University in Bloomington, where he continues to inspire and influence future generations of writers.