Lynne Sharon Schwartz is the author of nineteen books: novels, short story collections, nonfiction, poetry, and translations. Among her novels are The Writing on the Wall, set in New York City after September 11, 2001; In the Family Way: An Urban Comedy; Disturbances in the Field; and Rough Strife. She is also the author of the widely known memoir, Ruined by Reading, and the poetry collection In Solitary. Her work has been reprinted in many anthologies, including The Best American Short Stories, The O. Henry Prize Stories, and The Best American Essays. Her criticism and reviews have appeared in leading magazines and newspapers.