Grant Ginder
Grant Ginder (born 1982/1983)[1] is an American novelist, academic, and former political aide.
Grant Ginder | |
---|---|
Born | 1982 or 1983 (age 40–41) |
Occupation | Novelist |
Education | University of Pennsylvania (BA) New York University (MFA) |
Period | 2009–present |
Website | |
grantginder |
Background and education
Ginder grew up in Laguna Beach, California.[2] He received a bachelor of arts from the University of Pennsylvania and a master of fine arts from New York University. At the latter, Ginder studied under novelists Junot Diaz and Colson Whitehead.[3]
Career
While in college, Ginder worked as an intern in the offices of U.S. Representative Loretta Sanchez.[4] Upon completing his education, Ginder served as a speechwriter for John Podesta at the Center for American Progress.[5] In 2009, he published his first novel, This is How it Starts, a story of young government employees and interns working in Washington, D.C. Politico called the novel an examination of Washington's "power elite" -- "sharply observed" and "packed with sly humor."
In 2013, Ginder published the novel Driver's Education. In a starred review, the industry publication Booklist called the book, "lively, funny, gritty, and achingly real," comparing Ginder to novelists Junot Diaz and Michael Chabon.[6] In The Boston Globe, critic Karen Campbell called the work "engaging, colorful, direct, and imaginative," and "a stirring, memorable trip."[7] The New Yorker magazine called the work "a sensitively observed story," about "lessons that bear repeating."[8] As of 2020, Ginder lives in Brooklyn, and teaches writing at New York University, his alma mater.[9]
Novels
- This Is How It Starts. Simon & Schuster. 2009. ISBN 9781416599944.
- Driver's Education. Simon & Schuster. 2013. ISBN 9781439187357.
- The People We Hate at the Wedding. Flatiron Books. 2017. ISBN 9781250095206.
- Honestly, We Meant Well. Flatiron Books. 2019. ISBN 9781250143150.
- Let's Not Do That Again. Flatiron Books. 2022. ISBN 9781250243775.
References
- Chris Rovzar, "Grant Ginder Will Drink Whatever Is on Top of the Fridge," New York Magazine, June 3, 2009.
- Peter Larsen, "Author from O.C. hits the road with 'Driver's Education: A Novel,'" The Orange Country Register, January 18, 2013.
- Chris Rozvar, "Grant Ginder on His New Novel, Driver’s Education, the Value of an M.F.A., and Writing an Immortal Cat Named Mrs. Dalloway," Vanity Fair, January 8, 2013.
- Washington Examiner, "Pick and Roll: A Brief Peak Behind TMZ's Curtain," March 4, 2008.
- Andie Collier, "John Podesta speechwriter tries his hand at fiction," Politico, May 5, 2009.
- Booklist, Driver's Education, November 1, 2012.
- Karen Campbell, "‘Driver’s Education’ by Grant Ginder," The Boston Globe, January 7, 2013.
- The New Yorker, "Driver's Education," March 4, 2013.
- "Grant Ginder". Authors Answer. April 17, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2021.