Sheila Kohler was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. She later lived in Paris for fifteen years, where she married and completed her undergraduate degree in literature at the Sorbonne and a graduate degree in psychology at the Institut Catholique. She moved to the United States in 1981 and earned an MFA in writing at Columbia University. She is the author of fourteen works of fiction, including the novels Cracks, Becoming Jane Eyre, and Dreaming For Freud, three short story collections, and her memoir Once We Were Sisters. She has won two O. Henry Prizes, an Open Fiction Award, a WILLA Literary Award, and a Smart Family Foundation prize. She teaches at Princeton University and lives in New York City.
Sheila Kohler was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. She later lived in Paris for fifteen years, where she married and completed her undergraduate degree in literature at the Sorbonne and a graduate degree in psychology at the Institut Catholique. She moved to the United States in 1981 and earned an MFA in writing at Columbia University. She is the author of fourteen works of fiction, including the novels Cracks, Becoming Jane Eyre, and Dreaming For Freud, three short story collections, and her memoir Once We Were Sisters. She has won two O. Henry Prizes, an Open Fiction Award, a WILLA Literary Award, and a Smart Family Foundation prize. She teaches at Princeton University and lives in New York City.
Q&A Session with 2026 Dublin Literary Award shortlisted author Brigitte Giraud, author of Live Fast, exploring the inspirations behind her novel.
VideoMay 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
VideoMay 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.
