Lisa Ko is a highly acclaimed author, best known for her award-winning novel, The Leavers. Born and raised in New York City, Ko is a second-generation Chinese American, as both of her parents immigrated from the Philippines. She discovered her passion for writing at a very young age, starting to pen down stories in her journal when she was just five years old. However, it wasn't until high school that she began sharing her work with others, receiving praise and encouragement from her teachers.
After completing high school, Lisa Ko went on to study English at Wesleyan University. Upon graduating, she began working at Hyphen Magazine as an editor. Throughout her career, Ko has been a strong advocate for socially engaged fiction, a value that is reflected in her work. In 2016, The Leavers was awarded the prestigious PEN/Bellwether Prize, which recognizes fiction that promotes social change. The novel went on to become a national bestseller and was also a finalist for the National Book Award.
In addition to The Leavers, Lisa Ko is also the author of Memory Piece, which is set to be published in March 2024. Throughout her career, Ko's writing has been featured in several prestigious publications, including Best American Short Stories, The New York Times, and The Believer. She is dedicated to her craft and believes in taking the long view, having started writing stories when she was just five years old and publishing her first book at the age of 41. Readers can learn more about Lisa Ko and her work on her website.