Dinaw Mengestu is an acclaimed Ethiopian-American novelist and writer, renowned for his insightful and poignant literary contributions. His emergence on the literary scene was marked by his nomination as a "5 under 35" honoree by the National Book Foundation in 2007, shortly after the publication of his first book. Mengestu's talents have been recognized with numerous awards, including the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship in 2012.

Mengestu's journalistic prowess is evident through his work for esteemed publications such as Rolling Stone, where he reported on the war in Darfur, and Jane Magazine, where he covered the conflict in northern Uganda. His literary voice has also graced the pages of Harper's, The Wall Street Journal, and a variety of other notable outlets.

Currently, Mengestu enriches the literary community through his role as the Program Director of Written Arts at Bard College. His journey in literature and journalism is informed by his personal experiences, having left Ethiopia at the tender age of two and been raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Mengestu's educational background includes a degree from Georgetown University and an MFA from Columbia University. In 2010, he was distinguished as one of the 20 best writers under 40 by The New Yorker.