2014: Amy Tan

Born in the U.S. to immigrant parents from China, Amy Tan rejected her mother’s expectations that she become a doctor and concert pianist. Instead, she chose to write fiction, producing six novels: The Joy Luck Club, The Kitchen God’s Wife, The Hundred Secret Senses, The Bonesetter’s Daughter, Saving Fish from Drowning, and The Valley of Amazement. All became New York Times bestsellers and recipients of numerous awards. She also authored a memoir, The Opposite of Fate, two children’s books, The Moon Lady, Sagwa and The Chinese Siamese Cat, and numerous articles for magazines, including The New Yorker, Harper’s Bazaar, and National Geographic. Her short story Rules for Virgins appeared in e-book format (Byliner Original). Her work has been translated into 35 languages, from Spanish, French, and Finnish to Chinese, Arabic, and Hebrew.

Amy Tan served as Co-producer and Co-screenwriter with Ron Bass for the film adaptation of The Joy Luck Club. She was the Creative Consultant for Sagwa, the Emmy-nominated PBS television series for children, which aired worldwide, including in the UK, Latin America, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, and Singapore. Her short story “Immortal Heart," that first appeared in The New Yorker, has been adapted to a stage play performed throughout the U.S. and France. Her essays and stories are found in hundreds of anthologies and textbooks and are assigned as required reading in many high schools and universities.