David Vann

David Vann is an American novelist and short story writer. His bestselling books, published in 23 languages, have earned him 14 awards, including the best foreign novel in France and Spain. In addition, his works have been featured on 83 Best Books of the Year lists across a dozen countries. Vann is a retired Professor of creative writing at the University of Warwick in England.

David Vann was born on Adak Island in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Vann became a captain and boat builder after 12 years of struggling to publish the debut book, A Mile Down (2005). David Vann wrote of his attempt to surpass the modest seafaring efforts of his father, who killed himself when Vann was a boy.

His second book, Legend of a Suicide (2008), subsequently won 10 awards and was adapted for film. Legend of a Suicide includes the novella and five stories, four of which take place in Alaska, where Vann grew up.

His writing has graced the pages of notable publications such as The Atlantic Monthly, Esquire, and The Guardian. A recipient of prestigious fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, Wallace Stegner, and John L’Heureux, Vann holds degrees from Stanford and Cornell.

Vann has performed at over 100 international literary festivals and went on a book tour of 32 countries.

Adding to his impressive credentials, Vann is a retired Professor from the University of Warwick in England and an Honorary Professor at the University of Franche-Comté in France.

His achievements have been profiled in a range of publications, including The New York Times, Le Monde, El Pais, The Sunday Times, and The Sydney Morning Herald, to name a few.

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