Jamil Jan Kochai is a rising author, born in 1992, in an Afghan refugee camp in Peshawar, Pakistan. He has a rich cultural background, having originally hailed from Logar, Afghanistan. Kochai has made a significant mark in the literary world with his unique storytelling abilities and engaging characters. His writing focuses mainly on contemporary, magical realism, and fiction stories.
Kochai's most notable work, "99 Nights in Logar," has received critical acclaim from readers and critics alike. The book, which was published in 2019 by Viking, has been praised for its mind-blowing story and engaging cast of characters. The novel has also been recognized by prestigious literary institutions, having been shortlisted for the Pen/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel and the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature.
Apart from his work in long-form fiction, Kochai has also contributed to several literary journals and magazines, including The New Yorker, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Ploughshares, and The O. Henry Prize Stories 2018. His short stories and essays have been well-received by readers and critics, demonstrating his versatility as a writer.
Kochai has achieved significant milestones in his academic journey as well. After completing his bachelor's degree from California State University, Sacramento, he went on to earn his master's degree from the University of California, Davis. Currently, he is a Stegner Fellow at Stanford University, where he continues to hone his craft and contribute to the literary world.