# Rebecca Makkai
*Award-winning novelist, speaker*

Rebecca Makkai is an award-winning novelist, short story writer, and dedicated teacher who brings passion, humor, and depth to both her writing and instruction. Born and raised in Lake Bluff, Illinois, Rebecca grew up in a home filled with language, literature, and a love for storytelling, which has shaped her lifelong career as a writer and educator.She is the author of several acclaimed novels, including "The Great Believers," a moving portrait of the AIDS crisis in 1980s Chicago, which was a finalist for both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, and "I Have Some Questions for You," a New York Times bestseller. Her work has been recognized with the Andrew Carnegie Medal, the LA Times Book Prize, and the Stonewall Award, among many others. She is also the author of "The Borrower," "The Hundred-Year House," and the short story collection "Music for Wartime."Beyond her writing, Rebecca is a deeply engaged instructor who loves nothing more than guiding students toward their own storytelling breakthroughs. She teaches fiction writing at Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English, Northwestern University, and the Bennington Writing Seminars, and she serves as the Artistic Director of StoryStudio Chicago, a creative writing center dedicated to fostering literary community.With warmth, insight, and an infectious enthusiasm for great storytelling, Rebecca helps writers discover their voices, shape compelling narratives, and find joy in the creative process. Whether she's discussing the nuances of character development, the challenges of revision, or the way a single sentence can change the course of a story, she brings an approach that is both rigorous and deeply encouraging.To learn more about her work, visit her website, or find her on Instagram and Substack.

## Retreats led by Rebecca Makkai

### Start Something New, or Start Anew Writing Retreat with Author Rebecca Makkai in Spain
October 5 - 12, 2026 · Níjar, Almería, Spain · $5,400
Instructors: Rebecca Makkai
[Details](https://uptrek.com/ai/content/retreat/start-something-new-start-anew-writing-retreat-author-rebecca-makkai-spain) · [Book on uptrek.com →](https://uptrek.com/retreat/start-something-new-start-anew-writing-retreat-author-rebecca-makkai-spain#book)

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**Last updated:** 2025-02-28