American writer from Marin County, California, who writes and speaks on addiction, writing, faith, and motherhood. Her self-deprecating humor can be laugh out loud funny.

Author of six novels, including Blue Shoes, Crooked Little Heart, Hard Laughter, All New People, Joe Jonesand Rosie. Three major works of nonfiction, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Life and Writing, Travelling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith, and Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year. She appears regularly as "Author in Residence" on Sedge Thomson's West Coast Live radio program, and from 1996 to 1999 was a columnist for Salon.