Marjan Kamali
Born 1971 · Age 54
Iranian-American novelist; author of Together Tea (2013), The Stationery Shop (2019), and The Lion Women of Tehran (2024). 2022 NEA Creative Writing Fellow; works translated into many languages; Stationery Shop adapted for TV.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Turkey to Iranian parents
Marjan Kamali was born in Turkey to Iranian parents (daughter of a diplomat).
Lived through the 1979 Iranian Revolution as a child
Kamali experienced the Islamic Revolution while living in Iran; this shaped her later writing about Iran and diaspora.
Lived in Iran during the early years of the Iran–Iraq War
Kamali lived in Iran during the outbreak of the Iran–Iraq War; she later referenced these experiences in her fiction.
Entered public school in New York City
Upon arrival in the U.S., Kamali entered public school in New York City; teachers noticed culture shock and encouraged her.
Immigrated to the United States (moved to New York City)
Kamali and her family moved to the U.S.; she arrived in New York (Queens) in January 1982, a few months shy of her 11th birthday.
Family settled in Queens; attended high school in Manhattan
Kamali's family lived in Queens; she later attended high school in Manhattan (NYC).
Decided to pursue writing after taking Maxine Hong Kingston's class
While at UC Berkeley, a class taught by Maxine Hong Kingston inspired Kamali to pursue a writing career.
Completed BA in English Literature at UC Berkeley (approx.)
Kamali earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of California, Berkeley (year estimated based on birth year).
Completed MBA from Columbia University (estimated)
Kamali earned a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University; she has said her MBA helped her develop a thick skin and professional resilience. (year estimated)
Completed MFA in Creative Writing from NYU (estimated)
Kamali earned a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from New York University; she completed the MFA in tandem with her MBA (years estimated).
Published short story ‘The Gift’ in anthology
Kamali's short story 'The Gift' appeared in the anthology Let Me Tell You Where I’ve Been: New Writing by Women of the Iranian Diaspora (University of Arkansas Press).
Published novel Together Tea (Ecco/HarperCollins)
Kamali's debut novel Together Tea was published (Ecco/HarperCollins). The book is a Massachusetts Book Award finalist and has been translated into multiple languages.
Essay published in The Wall Street Journal
Kamali published 'In Iran, Among the Beauty-Obsessed Women' in The Wall Street Journal (2013).
Essay published in The Los Angeles Review of Books
Kamali published an essay 'Immigrant Worries: On the New World Novels of Dina Nayeri and Jessica Soffer' in The Los Angeles Review of Books (2013).
Short story 'Tehran Party' published in Tremors anthology
Kamali's short story 'Tehran Party' appeared in the anthology Tremors: New Fiction by Iranian American Writers (University of Arkansas Press).
Did readings and book-club visits (inspiration for future work)
Following Together Tea, Kamali visited book clubs and did readings — one assisted-living reading in Duxbury later inspired material for The Stationery Shop.
Produced stage adaptation excerpt of Together Tea at San Jose State Univ.
Kamali produced a stage production of Together Tea with Dr. Matthew Spangler at San Jose State University and hosted the 'Cultures of the Iranian Diaspora' conference. An excerpt was later shared in 2019.
Pushcart Prize nominee (Solstice Literary Magazine)
Kamali was nominated for a Pushcart Prize via Solstice Literary Magazine.
Published novel The Stationery Shop (Gallery/Simon & Schuster)
Kamali published The Stationery Shop, a national and international bestseller exploring 1953 Tehran and a 60-year love story.
The Stationery Shop: NPR Best Books of 2019
The Stationery Shop was included in NPR's Best Books of 2019 lists.
The Stationery Shop: Indie Next Pick (2019)
The Stationery Shop was selected as an Indie Next pick in 2019.
Stationery Shop translated into many languages (milestone)
By the time of her profiles, The Stationery Shop had been translated into multiple languages (Brandeis cites 21 languages; site bios vary).
The Stationery Shop optioned / being adapted for television (HBO) — reported
Reports and profiles indicate The Stationery Shop is being adapted into a TV series at HBO; Kamali is a consulting producer on the project.
Shared excerpt of Together Tea one-woman show at 'Forty Years & More' conference
At the 2019 International Conference on Iranian Diaspora Studies, Kamali presented an excerpt of the Together Tea one-woman show with actress Leyla Modirzadeh.
Essay published in Literary Hub
Kamali published 'Refuge, Gossip, and Revelation on the Private Book Club Circuit' in Literary Hub (2020).
Prix Attitude (France) for The Stationery Shop
The Stationery Shop was awarded the Prix Attitude in France (award listed on faculty/profile pages; year cited as 2021).
Named National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellow
Kamali received the 2022 NEA Creative Writing Fellowship (Prose). NEA literary fellowships include a grant (NEA awards for creative writing historically have been $25,000).
Interview on NEA Art Works Podcast
Kamali appeared on the National Endowment for the Arts 'Art Works' podcast (Mar 14, 2022) discussing The Stationery Shop, career, and NEA fellowship.
Published short piece 'Mina vs. Saddam' in Evergreen Review
Kamali published the short piece 'Mina vs. Saddam' in the Evergreen Review (2023).
Fannie Hurst Writer in Residence at Brandeis University (role)
Kamali is listed as Fannie Hurst Writer in Residence on the Brandeis English Department faculty page (appointment timeframe current as of profile).
Novels translated into 20+ / 30+ languages (career translation milestone)
Various bios state Kamali's novels have been translated into more than 20 languages (Brandeis lists 21 for The Stationery Shop); her site claims translations in more than 30 languages.
Continued role as consulting producer on HBO adaptation
Kamali is credited as a consulting producer for the TV adaptation of The Stationery Shop (ongoing project).
Lives in the Boston area with family (current residency)
Profiles state Kamali lives in the Boston area with her family; she is active in regional literary life.
Listed as New York Times bestselling author (The Lion Women of Tehran)
Author biographies and her site describe her as a New York Times bestselling author following the release of The Lion Women of Tehran.
Published The Lion Women of Tehran (Gallery/Simon & Schuster)
Kamali's novel The Lion Women of Tehran was released on July 2, 2024 (Gallery/Simon & Schuster). Profiles list the book as an instant New York Times bestseller.
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