Picture a Chicago-born storyteller who captures the messy, hilarious, and heartfelt moments of modern womanhood—meet Jennifer Close! With her sharp wit and keen eye for contemporary American life, Close has become a beloved voice in literary fiction, crafting novels that feel like catching up with your wittiest friend. Her debut, Girls in White Dresses (2011), launched her into the spotlight, and she’s been charming readers ever since.
Now a creative writing professor in Washington, D.C., Close weaves stories inspired by her own journey through New York’s publishing world and D.C.’s political scene. Her novels explore the awkward, relatable struggles of young women navigating love, careers, and friendships, all with a light, humorous touch that makes her work endlessly re-readable.
The Making of Jennifer Close
Born and raised on the North Shore of Chicago, Jennifer Close grew up with a love for stories that led her to Boston College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. She later pursued an MFA in Fiction Writing at The New School in New York, honing her craft while immersing herself in the city’s vibrant publishing scene. Working at magazines like Vogue and Portfolio, Close soaked up the chaos and ambition of urban life, which would later fuel her novels. When her then-boyfriend (now husband) joined the Obama campaign, she relocated to Washington, D.C., trading New York’s hustle for D.C.’s political buzz—a move that deeply shaped her storytelling.
Jennifer Close’s Unforgettable Stories
Close’s debut, Girls in White Dresses (2011), is a sparkling mosaic of vignettes following three young women navigating their 20s. With its sharp humor and poignant take on weddings, breakups, and friendships, it struck a chord with readers, earning praise as a modern classic. Her follow-up, The Smart One (2013), dives into family dynamics, focusing on the Coffey siblings’ return to their childhood home after life’s curveballs. It’s a warm, witty look at growing up—sometimes later than expected.
In The Hopefuls (2016), Close channels her D.C. experiences, crafting a tale of two couples caught in the city’s political whirlwind. The novel’s razor-sharp take on ambition and marriage makes it a standout. Her latest, Marrying the Ketchups (2022), returns to Chicago, blending humor and heart in a story of a restaurant family navigating grief, politics, and unexpected change. Close’s style—conversational, observant, and laced with irony—captures the messiness of relationships and the search for identity, making her novels both relatable and profound.
Why Jennifer Close Matters
Jennifer Close’s gift lies in her ability to turn everyday moments into universal stories. Her novels resonate with readers who see themselves in her characters’ stumbles and triumphs, offering a fresh lens on the challenges of modern adulthood. As a professor at George Washington University and Catapult, she inspires the next generation of writers, sharing the wisdom that writing is about persistence through good and bad days. Her work, grounded in sharp social commentary and emotional depth, cements her as a key voice in contemporary fiction.
- Born: North Shore of Chicago
- Key Works: Girls in White Dresses, The Smart One, The Hopefuls, Marrying the Ketchups
- Education: Boston College (BA), The New School (MFA in Fiction Writing)
- Current Role: Creative writing professor at George Washington University and Catapult
Snag Girls in White Dresses or Marrying the Ketchups and dive into Jennifer Close’s witty, heartfelt world—your next favorite read is waiting!