Gin Phillips is an accomplished American author, well-known for her work in contemporary and historical fiction, as well as children's books. She was born in Montgomery, Alabama, and attended Birmingham-Southern College, where she earned a degree in political journalism. After spending time in Ireland, New York, and Washington, D.C., Phillips returned to her home state and currently resides in Birmingham with her family, including a schnoodle and a mini golden mountain doodle.
Phillips' debut novel, "The Well and the Mine," was published in 2008 and went on to win the 2009 Barnes & Noble Discover Award for Fiction. The book was widely praised for its vivid portrayal of life in a close-knit mining community in Alabama during the early 20th century. Phillips' second novel, "Come in and Cover Me," was published in 2012 to similar acclaim.
In addition to her novels for adult readers, Phillips has also written two children's books, "A Little Bit of Spectacular" and "The Hidden Summer," which were published in 2015 and 2013, respectively. Her work has been translated into 29 languages and sold in numerous countries around the world.
Phillips' most recent novel, "Fierce Kingdom," was published in 2017 to widespread critical acclaim. The book, which takes place over the course of a single, harrowing day in a zoo, has been described as a "thrilling tale of survival" and a "heart-pounding exploration of the animal instincts that lie dormant in all of us." "Fierce Kingdom" was named one of the best books of the year by Publishers Weekly, NPR, Amazon, and Kirkus Reviews, and was also included in the New York Times' list of the Best Crime Novels of 2017. The novel has been praised for its tense, gripping narrative and its nuanced portrayal of the bond between a mother and her child.