Lee Cole

Lee Cole is an American author born in 1988 in Kentucky. He writes literary fiction that explores class, regional identity, and contemporary American life, particularly in the South and Midwest. His debut novel *Groundskeeping* (2022) received widespread critical acclaim for its nuanced portrayal of a budding romance between two writers at a Kentucky college, set against the backdrop of the 2016 election. The novel examines themes of ambition, artistic aspiration, and the tensions between rural and urban America. Cole's writing is noted for its psychological insight, authentic dialogue, and empathetic treatment of characters navigating cultural and economic divides. *Groundskeeping* was longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize.