Harriet Scott Chessman is an acclaimed novelist whose works include "The Beauty of Ordinary Things," "Lydia Cassatt Reading the Morning Paper," "Someone Not Really Her Mother," "The Lost Sketchbook of Edgar Degas," and "Ohio Angels." Her fiction has been translated into eight languages and featured in prominent outlets such as "The New York Times", "The San Francisco Chronicle", NPR’s "All Things Considered", and "Good Morning America". "Someone Not Really Her Mother" was recognized as a "San Francisco Chronicle" Best Book in 2004 and selected for the "Good Morning America" Book Club, while "Lydia Cassatt Reading the Morning Paper" reached #1 on the Indie Next list.
Beyond her novels, Chessman has expanded her creative repertoire into opera, serving as librettist for "My Lai" and "Sycorax." Commissioned by Kronos Quartet, "My Lai" is a monodrama composed by Jonathan Berger and performed by Kronos Quartet, Vân-Ánh Võ, and Rinde Eckert. Her literary and musical works often explore themes of memory, identity, and the interplay between art and human experience, marked by lyrical prose and emotional depth.
Chessman’s novels have been reissued by publishers such as Atelier26 and Seven Stories Press, reflecting their enduring appeal. Her ability to weave historical and contemporary narratives with sensitivity has solidified her reputation as a distinctive voice in literary fiction.