Emma Copley Eisenberg

Emma Copley Eisenberg is a queer American writer of fiction and nonfiction works.[1] Her first book, The Third Rainbow Girl, was nominated for an Edgar Award,[2] Lambda Literary Award,[3] and Anthony Bouchercon Award.[4]

Emma Copley Eisenberg
OccupationAuthor, teacher, co-founder of Blue Stoop
EducationHaverford College (BA)
University of Virginia (MA)
Notable worksThe Third Rainbow Girl
Website
www.emmacopleyeisenberg.com

Personal life

Copley Eisenberg was raised in New York City and currently resides in Philadelphia.[1]

Her father, Alan Eisenberg, was a senior partner in the law firm, Eisenberg and Paul. He then went on to become Secretary of the Actors Equity Association. Her mother, Claire Copley, coordinated promotional campaigns for art galleries, and is the granddaughter of Ira Copley, who founded Copley Newspaper chain.[5]

She attended Dalton School, a prestigious prep school in New York City.

In 2007, as a college student, Copley Eisenberg completed an internship in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, the location of her book, The Third Rainbow Girl.[6] The experience lingered with her, and she returned in 2009 and lived there until 2011, during which time she served as an AmeriCorps member[6] and worked "as a counselor at a girls’ wilderness and empowerment camp."[7]

Education

Copley Eisenberg received a bachelor of arts from Haverford College and an MFA from the University of Virginia.[8]

Career

Aside from writing, Copley Eisenberg has taught fiction writing at Bryn Mawr College, the University of Virginia, and ZYZZYVA.[1]

In 2018, along with several other writers, Copley Eisenberg co-founded Blue Stoop,[7] an organization that "nurtures an inclusive literary community by creating pathways to access writing education, inspiration, and professional support, and celebrating Philadelphia’s rich writing tradition."[9] She currently co-directs at the organization.[10]

Copley Eisenberg also teaches a bi-monthly course called Reporting for Creative Writers.[11]

Writing

Copley Eisenberg's work has appeared in The New York Times, McSweeney's, Granta, The Virginia Quarterly Review, Tin House, Esquire, Guernica, The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Citizen,[8] and others.

The Third Rainbow Girl (2020)
Main article: The Third Rainbow Girl

Copley Eisenberg's debut book, The Third Rainbow Girl: The Long Life of a Double Murder in Appalachia, was published January 21, 2020, by Hachette Books. The book follows the true story of the murders of Vicki Durian and Nancy Santomero in Pocahontas County, West Virginia in June 1980 when the duo had been hitchhiking to the Rainbow Gathering. Though no one was prosecuted for the "Rainbow Murders" for 13 years, many suspected local residents who were "depicted as poor, dangerous, and backward."[12] A local farmer was convicted in 1993 but was released when Joseph Paul Franklin confessed to the crime. Throughout the story's telling, Copley Eisenberg provides insight into the harmful stories told and believed about people who live in Appalachia. She also discusses how "this mysterious murder has loomed over all those affected for generations, shaping their fears, fates, and desires."[12]

The Third Rainbow Girl was nominated for an Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime,[2] a Lambda Literary Award for Bisexual Nonfiction,[3] and an Anthony Bouchercon Award.[4] The New York Times included the book in its list of notable books released in 2020.[13]

References
  1. "About". Emma Copley Eisenberg. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  2. "Category List – Best Fact Crime | Edgar® Awards Info & Database". edgarawards.com. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  3. Gentes, Brian (2021-03-15). "2021 Lambda Literary Award Finalists Announced". Lambda Literary. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  4. "Announcing the 2021 Anthony Award winners". CrimeReads. 2021-08-30. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  5. "Alan Eisenberg Marries Claire Copley". The New York Times. 1982-05-24. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  6. Kendra (2021-02-10). "Interview | Emma Copley Eisenberg". reading women. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  7. Adams, Kiersten A. (2020-01-22). "A conversation with Philly writer Emma Copley Eisenberg". The Philadelphia Citizen. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  8. "Emma Eisenberg". The Philadelphia Citizen. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  9. "Mission & History". Blue Stoop. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  10. "Staff & Advisory Board". Blue Stoop. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  11. "Reporting for Creative Writers". The Porch. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  12. Eisenberg, Emma Copley (2021). The third rainbow girl : the long life of a double murder in appalachia (First trade paperback ed.). New York: Hachette Books. ISBN 978-0-316-44921-2. OCLC 1153655665.
  13. "100 Notable Books of 2020". The New York Times. 2020-11-20. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
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