Peng Shepherd is a highly acclaimed American author, well-known for her science fiction and fantasy novels. She was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, where she developed a love for horses and classical ballet. After completing her education in Arizona, Shepherd went on to attend the NYU MFA program, where she honed her writing skills.
Shepherd has received numerous accolades for her work, including a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Elizabeth George Foundation's emerging writers grant. Her debut novel, "The Book of M," was a critically acclaimed success, winning the 2019 Neukom Institute for Literary Arts Award for Debut Speculative Fiction and being chosen as a Best Book of the Year by several prominent publications. The novel has also been optioned for television.
In addition to "The Book of M," Shepherd is also the author of "The Cartographers" and "The Future Library." Her second novel, "The Cartographers," was a USA Today bestseller and a national Independent Bookstores bestseller. It was named a Best Book of 2022 by The Washington Post and a Pick of the Month by several organizations, including Good Morning America and Amazon. Shepherd is a graduate of New York University's MFA program and the recipient of a 2020 fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.
When she isn't writing, Shepherd enjoys planning trips and visiting local bookstores. She has lived in numerous cities across the globe, including Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, London, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., New York, and Mexico City. Her extensive travels and diverse experiences have no doubt influenced her writing, adding depth and richness to her captivating stories.