Emily Ruskovich is an American writer celebrated for winning the 2019 International Dublin literary award for her novel Idaho. Emily spent her formative years growing up in the Idaho Panhandle on Hoodoo Mountain, an experience that has undoubtedly influenced her creative work. Her journey as a writer was fostered at the prestigious Iowa Writers' Workshop from which she graduated in 2011.

Emily's commitment to the literary arts extends beyond her writing; she is a dedicated educator in the field of creative writing. She currently serves as an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Denver. Prior to this, she has imparted knowledge and inspired students at the University of Montana, and Boise State University.

Her literary proficiency is not confined to her award-winning novel. Emily's fiction has graced the pages of esteemed publications such as Zoetrope, One Story, and The Virginia Quarterly Review. Her storytelling prowess was recognized with a 2015 O. Henry Award for her story Owl.

As a resident of the mountains west of Missoula, her connection to the rugged landscape continues to be a source of inspiration for her writing.