Los Angeles Times Book Prize
1 appearances
-
Edition 44 (2023) Winner
Ivy Claire Pochoda
アイヴィー・クレア・ポチョダ
Ivy Claire Pochoda
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1977-01-22 （New York City (raised in Brooklyn)）
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English
- Residence History
- Brooklyn, New York → Harvard Heights, Los Angeles
Career
- Occupations
- Novelist, Former professional squash player
- Active Years
- 1998-
- Memberships
- Women's International Squash Players Association
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard College | Harvard College | Classical Greek; English and American Literature | BA | 1994-1998 | United States |
| Bennington College | Faculty of Fine Arts (Fiction) | Fiction | MFA | 2009-2011 | United States |
Harvard College
Harvard College
/ Classical Greek; English and American Literature
Degree:
BA
Period:
1994-1998
Year of Graduation:
1998
Country:
United States
Bennington College
Faculty of Fine Arts (Fiction)
/ Fiction
Degree:
MFA
Period:
2009-2011
Year of Graduation:
2011
Country:
United States
Received MFA in 2011
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Harvard Hall of Fame | — | — | Harvard University | 殿堂入り |
Harvard Hall of Fame
2013
Organization:
Harvard University
Result:
殿堂入り
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
The Art of Disappearing
2009 FictionHer debut novel exploring urban lives, connections and solitude with episodic elements.
urban lonelinessinterpersonal relationships
Visitation Street
2013 FictionSet in a Brooklyn community, it follows a disappearance and the complex relationships of its residents; contains elements of social mystery.
communitysocial inequalityloss
Wonder Valley
2017 FictionAn ensemble cast set in Los Angeles, depicting hidden wounds and hopes beneath everyday life.
urban lifetraumarecovery
Epoca ~ The Tree of Ecrof
2019 FictionA more experimental work with fantastical elements dealing with family, time, and memory.
memoryfamilyfantasy
These Women
2020 FictionReexamines family and identity through the perspectives of women; a collection/novel focusing on female experiences.
women's livesfamilyidentity
Sing Her Down
2023 FictionA multi-perspective narrative exploring revenge, justice, and community tensions; a recent work.
revengejusticecommunity
Ecstasy
2025 FictionA forthcoming work (2025); details not widely available.
unknown
Bibliography
- The Art of Disappearing (2009)
- Visitation Street (2013)
- Wonder Valley (2017)
- Epoca ~ The Tree of Ecrof (2019)
- These Women (2020)
- Sing Her Down (2023)
- Ecstasy (2025)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Realist portrayals of urban lifeControlled prose with emotionally rich description
- Recurring Motifs
- community and isolationmemory and lossfemale perspectives
Legacy
Recognized for depicting marginalized urban lives in Brooklyn and Los Angeles. Her background as a former professional athlete makes her a distinctive figure bridging sports and literature.
Trivia
- Played professional squash from 1998 to 2007 and reached a career-high world ranking of 38 in March 1999.
- Married Justin Nowell in 2011.
- Was the 2009 Writer-in-Residence at the James Merrill House.
- Has written articles and essays for outlets such as The New York Times.
- Resides in the Harvard Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.