Picture a storyteller who weaves tales of resilience and cultural identity with the finesse of a master painter—meet Carol Edgarian! This American novelist, publisher, and literary trailblazer has captivated readers with her poignant novels and revolutionized digital publishing as co-founder of Narrative Magazine. From her evocative prose to her passion for amplifying diverse voices, Edgarian’s journey is as inspiring as the stories she tells.
The Making of Carol Edgarian
Born in New Britain, Connecticut, to first-generation American parents, Carol Edgarian grew up steeped in the complexities of cultural heritage. Her Armenian roots and family history shaped her storytelling, infusing it with themes of displacement and survival. A graduate of Phillips Academy Andover and Stanford University, she honed her craft early, earning accolades like the Kingsbury Prize. After college, she moved to San Francisco, juggling freelance speechwriting for tech giants like Microsoft while penning her debut novel, a testament to her hustle and heart.
Carol Edgarian’s Unforgettable Stories
Edgarian’s novels are literary gems, blending rich historical contexts with intimate human struggles. Her debut, Rise the Euphrates (1994), traces three generations of Armenian women grappling with the legacy of the Armenian Genocide. Hailed as a “powerful, poignant novel” by Ploughshares, it won the ANC Freedom Prize. Three Stages of Amazement (2011), a New York Times bestseller, dives into the intricacies of marriage and ambition in modern San Francisco, showcasing her knack for nuanced characters. Her latest, Vera (2021), a national bestseller, follows a teenage girl navigating the 1906 San Francisco earthquake’s aftermath. Critics praised its “brilliantly conceived” narrative, with the Los Angeles Review of Books calling it a beacon of “grief, resilience, and collective hope.” Edgarian’s style—lyrical yet grounded—captures the heartbeat of her settings and characters, making each story a vivid emotional journey.
Beyond novels, Edgarian co-edited The Writer’s Life: Intimate Thoughts on Work, Love, Inspiration, and Fame, a collection of writers’ diaries that offers a window into the creative process. Her essays, appearing in outlets like The Wall Street Journal and NPR, reflect her sharp insights and cultural commentary.
Why Carol Edgarian Matters
Carol Edgarian’s impact transcends her novels. As co-founder of Narrative Magazine, launched in 2003 with her husband, Tom Jenks, she pioneered a digital platform that publishes fiction, poetry, and essays for free, breaking down paywalls to make literature accessible globally. Narrative for Schools, launched in 2014, equips educators and students in over 37 countries with free literary resources, championing literacy and creativity. Her weekly Instagram series, A Word, Please, explores language with charm, connecting with word nerds worldwide. Edgarian’s commitment to nurturing writers and readers alike cements her as a literary luminary whose influence resonates across generations.
- Born: New Britain, Connecticut
- Key Works: Rise the Euphrates, Three Stages of Amazement, Vera
- Awards: ANC Freedom Prize, New York Times Bestseller
- Notable: Co-founder of Narrative Magazine
Snag Vera or Rise the Euphrates and dive into Carol Edgarian’s lyrical world of resilience and heart!