Roxane Gay

Roxane Gay launched her literary career with the release of her short story collection, ‘Ayiti,’ in 2011. In 2014, she published two significant works: the novel ‘An Untamed State’ and the critically acclaimed essay collection ‘Bad Feminist.’ ‘Bad Feminist’ quickly became a New York Times bestseller, earning widespread recognition for its incisive commentary on cultural and political issues through a feminist lens. Concurrent with her early literary success, Gay began her academic career as an assistant professor of English at Eastern Illinois University in 2010. Building on this momentum, Gay’s 2017 short story collection, ‘Difficult Women,’ further showcased her acclaimed ability to explore complex female experiences.

In 2019, she held a visiting professor position at Yale University. Since 2022, Gay has held the distinguished position of Gloria Steinem Endowed Chair in Media, Culture and Feminist Studies at Rutgers University, reflecting her continued impact in academia and critical discourse. Further solidifying her role in literary media, Gay, alongside Debbie Millman, is slated to become the new co-owner of the acclaimed literary magazine The Rumpus in 2025. Throughout her career, Gay has also lent her editorial expertise to publications such as The Rumpus, The Butter, and Gay Mag, consistently addressing themes of identity, privilege, and social justice across diverse platforms.