Farnoosh Moshiri

Farnoosh Moshiri is an Iranian-born novelist, playwright, and librettist. She teaches creative writing and literature at University of Houston–Downtown. Moshiri has published five books of fiction: ''At the Wall of the Almighty'' (Interlink, 1999), ''The Bathhouse'' (Black Heron Press, 2001, Beacon Press, 2002), ''The Crazy Dervish and the Pomegranate Tree'' (Black Heron Press, 2004), ''Against Gravity'' (Penguin, 2006), and ''The Drum Tower'' (Black Heron Press and Sandstone Press {U.K}, 2014).

Among other grants, fellowships, and literary awards, Moshiri is the recipient of Barthelme Memorial Award, C. Glenn Cambor/Inprint Fellowship: Presented by Inprint, Inc., Two Barbara Deming Awards (a grant for feminist writers whose work speaks of peace and social justice, two consecutive Black Heron Awards for Social Fiction, and Valiente (courage) Award from Voices Breaking Boundaries for artists who have taken risks to speak out and act as advocates. Her third novel, Against Gravity, was chosen by Barnes and Noble for Discover New Writer Series and by Borders Books in Original Voices selections.

Moshiri has spoken about her work and writing in exile at Columbia University, West Carolina University, Syracuse University, Bronx Community College, University of Houston Campuses, Rice University, Lone Star College Campuses, Houston Community College Campuses, San Jacinto College, University of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio), Asia Society, AWP Conference, Voices Breaking Boundaries, and more.

In 2012, in collaboration with the composer, Gregory Spears, she created a chamber opera by the name of "The Bricklayer" commissioned by the Houston Grand opera. The world premier was on March 16, 2012.

Moshiri has been a professor of literature, drama, and creative writing in College of Dramatic Arts of Tehran, Houston Community College, Lone Star College, Kabul University, Syracuse University, and the University of Houston–Downtown. She lives and writes in Houston. Provided by Wikipedia