Picture an American storyteller who traded Hollywood glitz for gritty tales about the digital age—meet Michael Grothaus! Born in Saint Louis, Missouri, in 1977, this novelist and journalist weaves dark comedy and social commentary into stories that stick with you. From his debut novel Epiphany Jones to his deep dive into deepfakes, Grothaus’s work explores the messy, fascinating corners of modern life with a sharp, playful edge.
With a career spanning film, tech, and creative writing, Grothaus brings a unique lens to his storytelling. His knack for blending humor with heavy themes like sex trafficking and artificial intelligence has earned him praise and a loyal following. Ready to discover the mind behind these unforgettable tales?
The Making of Michael Grothaus
Michael Grothaus grew up in Saint Louis before heading to Chicago’s Columbia College, where he studied film and journalism. By his early 20s, he was writing for Screen magazine, covering the city’s vibrant film scene. An internship with 20th Century Fox at the Cannes Film Festival gave him a front-row seat to Hollywood’s glamour—and its underbelly, which later inspired his fiction. After stints at the Art Institute of Chicago and Apple, he moved to London in 2007, earning an MA in creative writing with distinction from the University of London. This eclectic path shaped his bold, boundary-pushing voice.
Michael Grothaus’s Unforgettable Stories
Grothaus’s debut novel, Epiphany Jones (2016), is a dark comedy and social satire about a pornography addict entangled with a woman who claims to speak to God. Tackling sex trafficking among Hollywood’s elite, it’s both hilarious and harrowing, earning a longlist spot for the 2017 CWA New Blood Dagger Award and a nod from Entertainment Weekly as one of the “25 Most Irresistible Hollywood Novels.” Critics praised its “gloriously funny but dark as hell” vibe, with six years of research into sex trafficking grounding its sharp edge.
In 2023, Grothaus released Beautiful Shining People, a speculative coming-of-age tale set in a near-futuristic Tokyo. This emotionally charged story follows a quantum coding prodigy, an ex-sumo wrestler, and a waitress searching for her lost father amid digital Cold War tensions. Lauded by SFX Magazine and SciFiNow as a Book of the Month, it’s a poignant exploration of belonging and technology’s human cost, inspired by Grothaus’s time in Hiroshima.
His non-fiction book, Trust No One: Inside the World of Deepfakes (2021), dives into the unsettling rise of artificial video, interviewing morally complex creators to reveal its societal impact. Written with journalistic rigor, it’s a chilling yet accessible look at a tech-driven future. Grothaus’s style—witty, incisive, and unafraid of tough topics—makes his work a bridge between entertainment and enlightenment.
Why Michael Grothaus Matters
Michael Grothaus’s impact lies in his ability to humanize the digital age’s darkest corners. His novels tackle taboo subjects with humor and heart, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths while keeping them hooked. As a journalist, his work in Fast Company, The Guardian, and Vice amplifies subcultures and tech’s societal ripple effects, making him a vital voice in understanding our hyper-connected world. His storytelling resonates with those who crave narratives that are as thought-provoking as they are entertaining.
- Born: 1977 in Saint Louis, Missouri
- Key Works: Epiphany Jones (2016), Trust No One (2021), Beautiful Shining People (2023)
- Awards: Longlisted for the 2017 CWA New Blood Dagger Award
- Notable: Worked with 20th Century Fox, Apple, and the Art Institute of Chicago
About Michael Grothaus
Snag Epiphany Jones or Beautiful Shining People and dive into Michael Grothaus’s thrilling, thought-provoking world! You won’t look at Hollywood, tech, or humanity the same way again.