Tayari Jones is an accomplished American author, well-known for her captivating books such as Leaving Atlanta and An American Marriage. Her writing is renowned for its unique and perceptive voice, which resonates with readers from various backgrounds. Jones has the ability to convey her perspective with confidence and vulnerability, creating a strong sense of humanity in her prose. She has won multiple awards for her work, including the 2003 Hurston/Wright Legacy Award for Debut Fiction, and her books have been recognized by publications like Oprah's Book Club.
Jones' career as a writer has been marked by great success, with her novels garnering critical acclaim and commercial success. Her characters are relatable and real, allowing readers to see the world through her eyes and gain a unique insight. Jones' writing has appeared in several prestigious publications, including Tin House, The Believer, The New York Times, and Callaloo. She is a member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers and has received numerous awards and fellowships, including the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award in Fine Arts from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, United States Artist Fellowship, NEA Fellowship, and Radcliffe Institute Bunting Fellowship.
Jones is a graduate of Spelman College, University of Iowa, and Arizona State University. She is currently an Associate Professor in the MFA program at Rutgers-Newark University, and she spent the 2017-18 academic year as the Shearing Fellow for Distinguished Writers at the Beverly Rogers, Carol C. Harter Black Mountain Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Silver Sparrow, one of her most popular novels, was named a #1 Indie Next Pick by booksellers in 2011 and was added to the NEA Big Read Library of classics in 2016.