Rahna Reiko Rizzuto is an acclaimed author whose works span fiction and nonfiction, exploring themes of memory, identity, and cultural heritage. Her memoir, "Hiroshima in the Morning," was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and won the Grub Street National Book Prize in Nonfiction. She also penned the novel "Why She Left Us," which earned her an American Book Award in 2000. Her third book, "Shadow Child," was published by Grand Central in 2018.
Rizzuto's writing is deeply informed by her Japanese American heritage and her engagement with historical and personal narratives. She received the U.S./Japan Creative Artist Fellowship, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, further highlighting her commitment to cross-cultural storytelling. Her essays and articles have appeared in prominent outlets such as the Los Angeles Times and Salon, and she has been featured on major television programs, including The Today Show and 20/20.
Beyond her writing, Rizzuto has contributed to the literary community as Associate Editor of "The NuyorAsian Anthology: Asian American Writings About New York City." She teaches in the MFA program at Goddard College and founded the Pele's Fire Writing Retreat in Hawaii, fostering creativity among emerging writers. Her work continues to resonate for its lyrical prose and profound exploration of human connections across time and place.