Meredith Russo is a distinguished American author, known for her compelling works that explore various themes such as gender identity, sexuality, poverty, trauma, and mental illness. Born and raised in Tennessee, Russo now resides in Brooklyn, New York, with her cat, Shadow. She is an avid reader, and her apartment is filled with books, perhaps more than what is considered reasonable for a New York apartment.\n \n Russo's debut novel, If I Was Your Girl, was released in 2016 and quickly gained critical acclaim and multiple awards. Her second novel, Birthday, followed in 2019. Both novels are set in Southern Appalachia and, while exploring heavy themes, manage to maintain a lighter tone. Russo's essays and shorter fiction have been published in various notable publications, including The New York Times, Elle, Meet Cute, (Don't) Call Me Crazy, Radical Hope: Letters of Love and Resistance in Dangerous Times, and Out Now: Queer We Go Again.
Russo's experiences as a trans woman have significantly influenced her writing. If I Was Your Girl was partially inspired by her personal journey, providing a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of transitioning. In addition to her passion for writing, Russo is a self-proclaimed gigantic nerd who enjoys indulging in video games and Star Wars.
When not engrossed in her writing or reading, Russo can be found working out, playing fighting games, singing her heart out at karaoke, and keeping a watchful eye on her ever-growing TBR pile. She also has a habit of upsetting Yankees fans by smiling and making eye contact on the 3 train.