Maurice Carlos Ruffin

Maurice Carlos Ruffin is a distinguished American author renowned for his keen exploration of race, identity, and social justice. Born and raised in New Orleans, his Southern roots deeply influence his evocative storytelling. Ruffin is best known for his acclaimed debut novel "We Cast a Shadow," which was a finalist for several prestigious awards, including the Pen/Faulkner Award. A graduate of the Creative Writing Workshop at the University of New Orleans, Ruffin's work has been published in numerous literary journals such as The Paris Review and Kenyon Review. Alongside writing, he is dedicated to mentoring aspiring writers and actively participates in community literacy programs.