Mona Awad

Mona Awad serves as an Esther M. Larsen Faculty Fellow in the Humanities and Assistant Professor in the English Department at Syracuse University. An acclaimed novelist and creative writing instructor, she has established herself as a significant voice in contemporary literary fiction with a focus on horror, fairy tales, and feminist narratives. Her academic journey includes a Ph.D. in English and Creative Writing from the University of Denver (2018), an M.F.A. in Fiction from Brown University (2014), an MScR in English Literature from the University of Edinburgh (2010), and a B.A. in English from York University (2004).

Awad's research and creative interests center on Contemporary Fiction, Fairy Tales, and Horror, with particular attention to feminist perspectives and psychological complexity. Her work often explores themes of female experience, identity, trauma, and the boundaries between reality and imagination. She examines how traditional narrative forms can be subverted to address contemporary social issues, particularly those affecting women. Her teaching at Syracuse includes specialized courses such as Horror in Fiction and Film, The Art of the Fairy Tale, and advanced fiction workshops that explore villains and psychological tension.

Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent engagement with horror-inflected feminist literature, often blending elements of satire, psychological fiction, and magical realism. These works frequently examine the female experience through unconventional narrative structures and explore themes of bodily autonomy, social expectations, and psychological transformation. Her writing has appeared across prestigious literary platforms including The New York Times Magazine, McSweeney's, Lithub, Vogue, and Electric Literature.

Her scientific awards include numerous prestigious recognitions: the Amazon Best First Novel Award and Colorado Book Award for 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl (2016), the Ladies of Horror Fiction Award for Best Novel for Bunny (2019), and the International Dublin Award (2022). She has also been a finalist for the Scotia Bank Giller Prize, New England Book Award, and Goodreads Choice Award for Best Horror.

Awad actively engages with the literary community through readings, workshops, and panels at major festivals including the Vancouver Writer's Festival, Toronto International Festival of Authors, Montclair Literary Festival, and Miami Book Festival. Her teaching portfolio at Syracuse University includes graduate and undergraduate courses in fiction writing, with a focus on specialized topics that reflect her research interests. She serves on departmental committees including the Agenda committee and Creative Writing committee within the English Department.