Lucia Berlin

Lucia Berlin was an American writer born on November 12, 1936, in Juneau, Alaska. Her life was as unique and compelling as her writing, often drawing from her own experiences to craft her stories. Berlin's work is a striking blend of the classy and the bawdy, the critical and the generous, reflecting her complex identity as both a mother and an artist. Although she published her first story in 1960, it was not until after her passing in 2004 that she rose to literary fame. In 2015, eleven years after her death, a collection of her selected stories, "A Manual for Cleaning Women," brought her widespread acclaim. Berlin's six collections of short stories, particularly those published by Black Sparrow Books, showcase her raw and unflinching portrayal of life's brutality and beauty. Her work continues to resonate with readers, offering a profound and unforgettable literary experience.