Karen Joy Fowler

Karen Joy Fowler is a highly acclaimed author, best known for her New York Times bestselling novels and short story collections. She has written seven novels and three short story collections, including "The Jane Austen Book Club," "Sister Noon," and "Sarah Canary." Fowler's debut novel, "Sarah Canary," was widely recognized, winning the Commonwealth medal for best first novel by a Californian and being listed for several other prestigious awards.

Fowler's short story collections have also received significant critical acclaim. "Black Glass" won the World Fantasy Award in 1999, and "What I Didn't See" won the World Fantasy Award in 2011. Her writing has been described as imaginative, engaging, and thought-provoking, often blending elements of realism and fantasy to create unique and compelling narratives.

In addition to her work as a writer, Fowler is also a dedicated advocate for animals. She supports a chimp named Caesar who lives at the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Sierra Leone. Fowler is also the co-founder of the Otherwise Award and the current president of the Clarion Foundation (also known as Clarion San Diego). She lives in Santa Cruz, California with her husband, and they have two grown children and seven grandchildren.

Fowler's most recent novel, "We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves," won the 2014 PEN/Faulkner Award for fiction and was short-listed for the 2014 Man Booker Prize. Her new novel "Booth" published in March 2022. Throughout her career, Fowler has consistently produced high-quality work that has been celebrated by critics and readers alike. Her contributions to the literary world and her advocacy for animals have made her a respected and admired figure in both fields.