Maggie Su
Born 1993 · Age 32
Maggie Su is a Taiwanese American writer and editor, Assistant Director of the University Writing Center at the University of Notre Dame, and author of the debut novel Blob: A Love Story (Harper, 2025). She holds an MFA from Indiana University and a PhD in fiction from the University of Cincinnati. Her short fiction has appeared in multiple literary journals.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth (estimated)
Estimated birth year based on statements in interviews (she reported being 32 in early 2025).
Growing up in Champaign, Illinois (childhood)
Grew up in Champaign, IL; childhood environment influenced early reading and later writing.
Acquired pet turtle, 'Leo'
Bought/received a red-eared slider turtle named Leo in Chinatown, Chicago; said she got him when she was 14.
Turtle becomes long-term companion
Leo survives beyond expectations and remains a longtime pet (18 years old as of early 2025).
Enrollment at University of Illinois (approx.)
Began undergraduate studies at University of Illinois (BA conferred 2013). Initial field of study was biochemistry before pivoting to creative writing/English.
Pivot from biochemistry to creative writing (undergrad)
While at U of I she was about one class away from a chemistry minor when she shifted majors after taking a poetry class with Julie Price.
Begins graduate study: MFA at Indiana University (approx.)
Enrolled in MFA program at Indiana University after BA (exact enrollment and graduation dates not specified).
Earned BA, University of Illinois (creative writing/English)
Conferred BA in creative writing/English (listed as BA '13 on alumni pages).
Family background: mother worked as librarian
Mother worked as a librarian and eventually retired from the Champaign Public Library; family remains in Champaign.
Hotel front-desk job during MFA
Worked as a hotel front-desk attendant for a summer during her MFA; this liminal workspace later informed the novel's setting.
Completed MFA, Indiana University (approx.)
Earned an MFA from Indiana University (exact graduation year not stated; estimated based on BA '13).
Short fiction: publications begin (ongoing)
Published short stories and fiction in literary journals including New England Review, TriQuarterly Review, Puerto del Sol, Juked, DIAGRAM, Four Way Review and others (dates for individual pieces not specified).
Enrollment in PhD program, University of Cincinnati (approx.)
Began PhD in fiction at University of Cincinnati (exact start year not specified).
Dissertation development and seven-year process for Blob
Blob was developed over roughly seven years of brainstorming, writing, and revision as her PhD dissertation (timeframe described in interviews and university news).
Wrote Blob as a short story (fiction workshop)
Originated 'Blob' as a short story in a fiction workshop in 2019 — the seed that became the novel.
Adapted Blob into a 10-minute play (summer)
Over the summer of 2019 she turned the short story into a 10-minute play during a playwriting workshop.
Taught a screenwriting class (role during novel development)
Was teaching a screenwriting class while writing Blob, and used three-act structure techniques from that experience.
Started writing Blob as a novel during COVID lockdown
In spring 2020, during pandemic lockdown, she began expanding the play/short story into the novel Blob.
Likely acquisition deal signed with HarperCollins (estimated)
Prior to publication, HarperCollins acquired Blob (publisher of the book); contract year not explicitly given — estimated 2023–2024.
PhD in fiction conferred, University of Cincinnati (estimated)
PhD in fiction is listed on university profiles; the exact year of conferral is not given — estimated 2024 based on dissertation timeline.
Personal: resides in South Bend with partner and pets
Lives in South Bend, Indiana with her partner, cat, and turtle (Leo); family remains in Champaign, IL.
Book blurbs from notable authors
Received blurbs/endorsements from writers she cites as influences (Helen Oyeyemi and Aimee Bender are mentioned as endorsers/blurbers).
Plans for next book and research interests
Announced intentions to write another book, with particular interest in horror/speculative fiction exploring racial otherness and the Midwest as setting.
Presence on Goodreads and community engagement
Goodreads author page active (profile shows Blob publication, quotes, follower counts, and community engagement).
Critical reception: positive early reviews
Blob received positive reviews and press (e.g., Chicago Review of Books called it tender and noted its Midwest and mixed-race perspective).
Indies Introduce / ABA features and Q&A (Indies Introduce selection)
Blob selected as a Winter/Spring 2025 Indies Introduce adult selection and a February 2025 Indie Next List pick; appeared in Indie bookseller Q&A and ABA BookED podcast.
Assistant Director, University Writing Center, University of Notre Dame (role)
Listed as Assistant Director, University Writing Center and Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Notre Dame; works in South Bend and maintains office contact details.
Media and promotion appearances (ongoing)
Participated in multiple interviews, podcasts (ABA BookED), profiles (Goodreads author page, university pages), and bookseller Q&As to promote Blob during 2025 launch window.
Publication: Blob: A Love Story (Harper)
Debut novel Blob: A Love Story published by Harper/HarperCollins (hardcover). Included ISBN 9780063358645 and list price $26.99.
Interview: Chicago Review of Books (feature interview)
In-depth interview published January 30, 2025 discussing Blob, origins, craft, and identity.
Indie Next List pick (February 2025)
Blob chosen as a February 2025 Indie Next List pick (recognition by independent booksellers).
University profile / LAS feature on debut
LAS (University of Illinois) published a feature on March 13, 2025 about Su's pivot to creative writing and publishing of Blob.
Key Achievement Ages
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