Susan Jane Gilman is a New York Times bestselling author known for her sharp wit and literary fiction. She has written five books, including the novels "The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street" and "Donna Has Left the Building," as well as the nonfiction works "Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress," "Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven," and "Kiss My Tiara." Her writing has earned critical acclaim, with her books translated into a dozen languages and her audiobook narration of "The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street" winning a Golden Earphones Award.
Gilman’s work blends humor with depth, a hallmark of her storytelling across genres. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan and has contributed to prominent publications such as The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and Ms. magazine. Her commentary has been featured on NPR’s "All Things Considered," and she delivered a TEDx talk titled "There Is No Lightning Bolt" on the creative process. Despite her initial resistance to being labeled a humorist, Gilman embraced her comedic voice after realizing its power to uplift readers, even in difficult circumstances.
Though she now resides primarily in Switzerland, Gilman remains deeply connected to her New York City roots. Her fiction and essays have garnered multiple literary awards, cementing her reputation as a versatile and compelling voice in contemporary literature.