Creative Writing Alumna Haley Tanner Recognized for Debut Novel
The National Book Foundation selected Haley Tanner, an MFA alumna of the creative writing program, as one of this year’s “5 Under 35”, a program celebrating young authors in fiction. She will be honored for her debut novel Vaclav & Lena during an evening that kicks off the National Book Awards Week on Monday, November 12 in powerHouse Arena in DUMBO, Brooklyn.
Told with a voice that “engulfs you immediately,” Tanner’s novel deals with themes of love, identity, and loss while depicting the story of two young people growing up in Brooklyn’s Russian immigrant community.
Now in its seventh year, the “5 Under 35” program recognizes five young fiction writers selected by past National Book Award Winners and Finalists. Musician Neko Case will host this year’s event, with poet and photographer Thomas Sayers Ellis as DJ. The authors will discuss their works during a conversation moderated by author Anya Ulinich, a 2007 “5 Under 35” Honoree.
For more information on this year’s “5 Under 35 honorees”, and photos and videos of previous “5 Under 35” authors and events, please visit: www.nationalbook.org/5under35.html.