Masha Hamilton is the author of five novels, most recently What Changes Everything (2013), which the Washington Post praised for its “elegantly wrought prose (which) conveys terror as well as tenderness,” and 31 Hours, chosen by thePost as one of the best novels of 2009. Staircase of a Thousand Steps (2001) was a Booksense pick by independent booksellers and a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection; The Distance Between Us (2004), was a Library Journal best book of the year; The Camel Bookmobile (2007), was also a Booksense pick. She founded two world literacy projects, the Camel Book Drive and the Afghan Women’s Writing Project. She is the winner of the 2010 Women’s National Book Association award. For the AP, the Los Angeles Times and others, she has reported from the Middle East, Africa and Asia. She recently completed 16 months as Communications Director at the US Embassy in Afghanistan and currently works as Vice President of Communications for the NGO Concern Worldwide. She attended the Community of Writers in 2000. www.mashahamilton.com