LAUREN KESSLER is the author of nine books, including HAPPY BOTTOM RIDING CLUB (Random House, 2000). FULL COURT PRESS (Dutton, 1996) was called "beautifully written and important" (Mary Pipher, author of Reviving Ophelia) and "a heart-poundingly glorious vindication of women's prowess and courage" (Barbara Ehrenreich). STUBBORN TWIG (Random House, 1993), won the Frances Fuller Victor Award for best literary nonfiction in 1994. The San Francisco Chronicle called the book "remarkable...excel[ling] in its historical sweep and in Kessler's flair for dramatic storytelling." Booklist called it "a moving and important document," and Choice said it was "an outstanding contribution to 20th century social history." Kessler's essays have appeared in Salon and The Nation. She writes regularly on the craft of writing for Writer's Digest and has published numerous magazine articles.

Kessler holds a Ph.D. from the University of Washington, where she developed the love of American social and cultural history that is clear in her work. Oral history in particular plays a significant role in many of her projects. After graduating from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, she did brief stints as an advertising copywriter and a newspaper reporter.

Kessler teaches a variety of courses in the School including The Literature of Literary Journalism, Literary Nonfiction Writing Seminars I and II and Writing the Nonfiction Book. She also teaches magazine writing and oral history. She is the director of the master's option in Literary Nonfiction at the School of Journalism and Communication.