Professor, University of California, Riverside. Author: Song For Night (2007); The Virgin of Flames (2007); Becoming Abigail (2006); GraceLand (2004); Masters of the Board (1985). Poetry collections include: Hands Washing Water (2006); Dog Woman (2004); Daphne's Lot (2003); Kalakuta Republic (2001). Recipient of awards: Freedom-to-Write Award, PEN USA; Prince Claus Award; Lannan Literary Fellowship; California Book Award; Hurston-Wright Legacy Award; PEN Hemingway Book Prize; finalist for the Dublin-IMPAC Award.