Winner Announced — Inaugural Kitty Kelley Dissertation Fellowship Valerie Waterhouse has been named the recipient of the inaugural $25,000 Kitty Kelley Dissertation Fellowship for her research on Malachi Whitaker (1895–1976), a British working-class writer known for her short stories and memoir.

ARCHIVIST INTERVIEW — Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center The “Hidden Archive” series continues in The Biographer’s Craft and recently Elizabeth Schott interviewed Sheridan Sayles, the archivist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City. #lifewriting

Podcast #223 – A’Lelia Bundles JOY GODDESS: A’Lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance is the latest book by this award-winning journalist and author. Published by Scribner this June, it is the first major biography of Bundles’ great-grandmother. #biography #biographer #lifewriting #writinglife

FROM THE JUNE INSIDER - Is biography the “impossible genre?” Critic Parul Sehgal of NYT Magazine thinks it is and writes about biographies in glowing, reverent terms. Let us know your thoughts in the comments after finding the full article in your inbox inside the June issue of the BIO Insider!

Podcast #222 – Marc Leepson This journalist, historian, and Vietnam War veteran is the author of eleven books. His most recent book, THE UNLIKELY WAR HERO: A Vietnam War POW’s Story of Courage and Resilience in the Hanoi Hilton, was published by Stackpole Press in December 2024. #biographer

In the May edition of The Biographer’s Craft, Michael Vinson continues his in-depth discussion of the merits and pitfalls of academic vs popular biography, elaborating on how to build a “new philosophical basis for writing bestsellers." #biography #lifewriting

Podcast #221 – Charlotte Jacobs 90 SECONDS TO MIDNIGHT: A Hiroshima Survivor’s Nuclear Odyssey, published by Potomac Books this month, is this author’s biography of Setsuko Nakamura Thurlow—a passionate Japanese individual whose lifelong endeavors helped safeguard mankind. #biography #lifewriting

In honor of Cynthia Carr's CANDY DARLING being named a co-winner of BIO's Plutarch Award for the Best Biography of 2024, here's a look back at our review! www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/bookreview/c... @fsgbooks.bsky.social @biographersintl.bsky.social @roserankin.bsky.social #Booksky

On June 5-7, in Washington, D.C., BIO hosted its 15th annual BIO Conference, co-sponsored with the Leon Levy Center for Biography. With writers participating in a wide and compelling slate of events, the conference brought the art and practice of biography to life. #bioconference2025 #lifewriting

Wonderful panel on unreliable narrative sources for biographies at @biographersintl.bsky.social conference. People lie about their age on marriage certificates (age of consent, pregnancies), fabricate racial background (passing, hiding history of internment), tell stories (overstatement, pillow talk

Had a terrific two days at my first ever @biographersintl.bsky.social conference. So many wonderful people, so many incredible projects!

@peterbakernyt.bsky.social and @sbg1.bsky.social in conversation with Susan Page at James Atlas Plenary of 2025 @biographersintl.bsky.social (BIO) conference in Washington DC.

It was wonderful to interview @prithik.bsky.social about her book, “Brooklynites.” To check out our conversation on @biographersintl.bsky.social Podcast #220, go to: biographersinternational.org/news/podcast...

Podcast #220 – Prathibha Kanakamedala BROOKLYNITES: The Remarkable Story of the Free Black Communities that Shaped a Borough is this author’s first full-length book. It was published by New York University Press in September 2024. #biography #lifewriting #Brooklynites #BIOPodcast

BIO Announces Two Winners for 2025 Plutarch Award for Best Biography of 2024 -- The winners are CANDY DARLING: Dreamer, Icon, Superstar by Cynthia Carr (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) and SCAPEGOAT: The Brilliant Brief Life of the Duke of Buckingham by Lucy Hughes-Hallett (Harper). #PlutarchAward2025

CONFERENCE PREVIEW — Liz Schott Reflects on Her First BIO Conference With the 2025 annual BIO Conference only a day away, Liz Schott reflects on her first experience in 2024, providing newcomers with plenty of material about what to expect. Read the full story in your inbox! #BIOConference2025

Podcast #219 – Alex Beam In Alex Beam's WALLACE STEGNER: Dean of Western Writers, published by Signature Books in February 2025, this longtime Boston Globe columnist and author takes readers on a brisk and riveting journey through Stegner’s life and complicated legacy. #biographer #lifewriting

The 2025 Annual BIO Conference Is One Week Away — Registration Still Open! The clock is ticking for registration to the 2025 BIO Conference! Join more than 125 biographers at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, June 5, and Friday, June 6.  #BIOConference2025 #biography

Podcast #218 – Adam Plunkett LOVE AND NEED: The Life of Robert Frost’s Poetry is literary critic Adam Plunkett’s first biography. His exploration of the life *& creativity of one of USA's favorite 20th-century poets was published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux in February 2025. #biography

2025 Pulitzer Prize in Biography Awarded -- Two BIO Members are Finalists The two BIO member finalists in the Biography category for the 2025 Pulitzer Prize were David Greenberg, for JOHN LEWIS: A Life and Amy Reading, for THE WORLD SHE EDITED: Katherine S. White at The New Yorker.

Podcast #217 – David Levering Lewis In this special episode, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and National Humanities Medal recipient David Levering Lewis discusses his latest book — an exploration of his own family history: THE STAINED GLASS WINDOW: A Family History as the American Story: 1790-1958.

CRAFT TALK — with Michael Vinson In The Biographer’s Craft, BIO member Michael Vinson discusses at length the merits and pitfalls of academic vs popular biography, in a brilliant exploration of how to build a “new philosophical basis for writing bestsellers.” #biography #lifewriting #CraftTalk

Podcast #216 – Janice Engel This award-winning filmmaker, showrunner and Academy of Art University professor, talks about her documentary film, RAISE HELL: The Life and Times of Molly Ivins. Engel was interviewed by BIO member and podcast producer Jenny Skoog. #biography #lifewriting

BIO MEMBER INTERVIEW — with Megan Elias The Six Questions series in The Biographer’s Craft continues, with historian Megan Elias discussing her most beloved writers, her current project, and her highlights and frustrations in the world of biography. #biography #biographer #lifewriting #writinglife

Podcast #215 – Caitlin Cass & Lisa Napoli These authors talk about various forms of biography. Napoli wrote a group biography of NPR's founding mothers. Cass’s book, SUFFRAGE SONG: The Haunted History of Gender, Race, and Voting Rights in the US, was named a Best Art Book of 2024 by Hyperallergic.

2025 PLUTARCH AWARD SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED A distinguished panel of judges from the Biographers International Organization (BIO) is proud to announce the five books shortlisted for the 2025 Plutarch Award, the only international literary award for biography judged exclusively by biographers.

Podcast #214 – Steve Paul As the president of the Biographers International Organization, Steve Paul talks about the organization’s exciting new initiatives in 2025 and beyond. Paul spent more than 40 years in daily journalism; now, as an independent scholar, he is devoted to literary biography.

2025 ROLLIN FELLOWSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED - Shennette Garrett-Scott & Fara Dabhoiwala Shennette Garrett-Scott and Fara Dabhoiwala are the recipients of the 2025 Frances Rollin Fellowship, awarded for biographical works-in-progress significantly advancing our understanding of Black experience.

Podcast #213 – Dawn Porter This celebrated documentary filmmaker is the recipient of the 2025 BIO Award – annual recognition of a distinguished colleague who has made significant contributions to the art and craft of biography. Porter talks about her biographical journey with A’Lelia Bundles.

BIO MEMBER WINS MARFIELD PRIZE — Natalie Dykstra received the 2024 Marfield Prize for outstanding writing about the arts for her book CHASING BEAUTY: The Life of Isabella Stewart Gardner (Mariner Books), given annually by the Arts Club of Washington. #lifewriting #writinglife #biographer

Podcast #212 – Carol Sklenicka & Yepoka Yeebo These celebrated authors talk about BIO’s Plutarch Award for Biography – the organization’s annual recognition of the year’s best biography, as determined by a committee of five distinguished biographers from nominations by BIO members and publishers.

2025 BIO AWARD WINNER -- Dawn Porter, American Documentary Filmmaker Dawn Porter has been awarded the 2025 BIO Award, an honor bestowed annually by the Biographers International Organization, to a distinguished colleague who has made significant contributions to the art and craft of biography.

Podcast #211 – Heather Clark & Stephen Enniss These celebrated authors talk about the awards that BIO offers for biographers. Heather Clark and Stephen Enniss were interviewed by BIO member and podcast producer Jenny Skoog. #biography #biographer #lifewriting #writinglife

LIFE WRITER LOOKS INWARD — Beethoven Biographer Reflects on Personal Connection to Composer John Suchet explores how years of researching the composer’s life profoundly impacted him on a personal level. BIO members can read the full story in The BIO Insider in their inbox. #lifewriting #beethoven

Podcast #210 – Linda Leavell & Natalie Dykstra These pivotal BIO members share their experience as co-chairs of BIO’s June 5-6, 2025 annual conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. #Biography #biographer #lifewriting #writinglife #biopodcast

From the initial brainstorms of Ray Anthony Shepard to A'Lelia Bundles's electric keynote, the BIO conference in Montgomery - Telling the Stories of Black Lives Through Biography - was a huge success. It drew participants from all directions, with a surfeit of compelling subjects to write about.

Day II — “Telling the Stories of Black Lives through Biography” Conference, @troyuniversity.bsky.social @biographersintl.bsky.social #blackbiomonty2025

So honored to have joined the scores of writers and scholars who gathered in Montgomery this weekend for an incredible conference: Telling the Stories of Black Lives through Biography! It was sponsored by @biographersintl.bsky.social, which creates a wonderful community for all of us. Such a balm!

The BIO Conference on Black Biography kicked off today in Montgomery, Alabama. Alexis Pauline Gumbs opened the day with a reading. A full day of panels & talks will continue at the conference tomorrow. #biography #BlackBiographyConference #lifewriting #writinglife #BlackBiography #blacklives

Podcast #209 – James McGrath Morris In this special episode, BIO’s former president and one of the organization’s founders, talks about the history of BIO and its influence. Morris was interviewed by BIO member Jenny Skoog. #biography #lifewriting #BIOpodcast

THE BLEEDING EDGE -- WHERE BIOGRAPHY AND TECHNOLOGY MEET From BIO’s February edition of The Insider, some helpful (hopeful?) words from editor Jared Stearns in the image attached. #biographer #biography #lifewriting #writinglife #openAI #DeepResearch

Podcast #208 - Ray Anthony Shepard This award-winning author of biographers for young readers talks about his writing career and his long-term service as a founding BIO board member. Ray Anthony Shepard was interviewed by BIO member & podcast producer Jenny Skoog. #biography #lifewriting

BIO MEMBER INTERVIEW — with James L. Bradley The Six Questions series continues with James Bradley discussing his most beloved writers, his current project, and the highlights and frustrations of being a biographer. Read the interview in your inbox in the latest issue of The Biographer's Craft!

Podcast #207 – Jared Stearns This first-time biographer’s book, PURE: The Sexual Revolutions of Marilyn Chambers explores the untold story of the world’s most famous X-rated star. Stearns's book was published in May of 2024 by Headpress. #biography #lifewriting #pure #marilynchambers

PLUTARCH AWARD 2025 LONGLIST The 2025 Plutarch Award longlist has been announced to BIO members first, in the pages of the The Biographer's Craft. The titles are arranged left to right, top to bottom, in alphabetical order by authors’ last names. #PlutarchAward2025 #biography #lifewriting

Podcast #206 – Alexis Pauline Gumbs This scholar and author’s latest book, SURVIVAL IS A PROMISE: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde, was published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux in August 2024. Alexis Pauline Gumbs was interviewed by fellow biographer & BIO member Tamara Payne. #biography #audrelorde

Podcast #206 – Alexis Pauline Gumbs This scholar and author’s latest book, SURVIVAL IS A PROMISE: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde, was published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux in August 2024. Gumbs was interviewed by fellow biographer and BIO member Tamara Payne. #biography #lifewriting #audrelorde

LAST CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS -- The Hazel Rowley Prize for Best Proposal from a First-time Biographer Deadline — March 1, 2025 The prize rewards a first-time biographer with a $5,000 award; a careful reading from an established agent; and a year’s membership in BIO. #biographers #biography

I am deeply honored that @biographersintl.bsky.social has chosen Survival is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde to be part of the long list for their highest honor The Plutarch Prize in such exciting company.💜 biographersinternational.org/news/2025-pl...

Podcast #205 – Mary Frances Phillips This historian & author’s BLACK PANTHER WOMAN: The Political and Spiritual Life of Ericka Huggins, was published in January 2025 by NYU Press, examining the life & legacy of one of the longest-serving women members of the Black Panther Party. #biopodcast