David Leavitt, credit Tanya Tribble

David
Leavitt

For most of my adult life I have been a working writer. My books include novels, story collections, and a couple of non-fiction works. In 1991 The Lost Language of Cranes was made into a BBC film with Brian Cox, Eileen Atkins, Angus McFadyen, and Corey Parker. In 2002 the Spanish director Ventura Pons adapted my novel The Page Turner into the film Food of Love with Juliet Stevenson, Paul Rhys, Allan Corduner, Geraldine McEwan, and Kevin Bishop. The Indian Clerk is currently in development as a film to be produced by Scott Rudin. In the 1990s I co–wrote a screenplay with the late John Schlesinger entitled Someone’s Son. It was never produced.

At different points in my career I have been the recipient of fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Institute for Catalan Letters in Barcelona, Spain. In 1994 I was named a Literary Lion by the New York Public Library. Since 1990 I have been a member of the usage panel for The American Heritage Dictionary.

For most of my adult life I have been a working writer. My books include novels, story collections, and a couple of non-fiction works. In 1991 The Lost Language of Cranes was made into a BBC film with Brian Cox, Eileen Atkins, Angus McFadyen, and Corey Parker. In 2002 the Spanish director Ventura Pons adapted my novel The Page Turner into the film Food of Love with Juliet Stevenson, Paul Rhys, Allan Corduner, Geraldine McEwan, and Kevin Bishop. The Indian Clerk is currently in development as a film to be produced by Scott Rudin. In the 1990s I co–wrote a screenplay with the late John Schlesinger entitled Someone’s Son. It was never produced.

At different points in my career I have been the recipient of fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Institute for Catalan Letters in Barcelona, Spain. In 1994 I was named a Literary Lion by the New York Public Library. Since 1990 I have been a member of the usage panel for The American Heritage Dictionary.

artwork-image

RELATED FEATURES

News May 21 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Winner Revealed

Discover this year's winner!
Video May 16 2026

Brigitte Giraud – Live Fast Q&A

Q&A Session with 2026 Dublin Literary Award shortlisted author Brigitte Giraud, author of Live Fast, exploring the inspirations behind her novel.
Video May 12 2026

Laurent Binet – Perspective(s) Q&A

Check out our Q&A with Laurent Binet, author of shortlisted title Perspective(s), as he discusses the inspirations behind his work and reflects on the role libraries have played in shaping his journey
Video May 8 2026

Ali Smith – Gliff Q&A

Shortlisted author Ali Smith discusses the creative inspirations behind Gliff and reflects on the significance of libraries throughout her reading and writing life in our latest Q&A.

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.