Rene Denfeld is an American author known for her compelling and thought-provoking novels. Her debut novel, The Enchanted (Harper 2014), received significant acclaim, winning the French Prix du Premier Roman Etranger award, an ALA Medal for Excellence in Fiction, and a Carnegie Listing. Additionally, it was a finalist for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and The Oregonian's Best Book of the Year, and was listed for the Dublin International Fiction Prize.

Her second novel, The Child Finder (Harper 2017), is a gripping literary thriller exploring the journey of a young woman tasked with finding a missing child.

Denfeld's writing extends beyond fiction; she has contributed to publications such as The New York Times Magazine, The Oregonian, and the Philadelphia Inquirer. Her poetic fiction has garnered numerous awards and praise, including recognition from esteemed author Margaret Atwood who described her work as "astonishing."

Rene also works as a licensed investigator, focusing on exonerating the innocent and assisting victims of rape and trafficking. Her investigative work significantly influences her novels, providing a deep well of experience and insight into the human condition.

Beyond her literary achievements, Rene is an advocate for social justice, often speaking on topics such as overcoming trauma and the power of storytelling. In 2017, she was named a hero of the year by The New York Times and received the Break The Silence Award in Washington, DC.

Rene Denfeld resides in Portland, Oregon, where she is the proud parent of children adopted from foster care.