“When Paul Beatty's 'The Sellout' was first published in America in 2015, it was a small release. It got a rave review in the daily 'New York Times' and one in the weekly 'New York Times Book Review,' too, for good measure. But by and large, it was not a conversation-generating book.”

Canadian author, freelance journalist and critic

Michelle Dean is a Canadian author, freelance journalist, and critic. She writes on literature, culture, and ideas, and her work has appeared across a range of publications. Her writing is known for close reading and clear judgment, with a focus on the people and arguments that shape contemporary literary life. She has built a body of work that moves between journalism and criticism.