Brenda Peynado Speaking Fee: $10,000 to $20,000

Brenda Peynado is a Dominican American writer whose work spans short stories, novels, nonfiction, and screenplays. Drawing from her experiences as a Latina woman, her writing delves into themes of identity, class, race, and the complexities of cultural assimilation. Her narratives often blend elements of literary realism with magical realism, fabulism, and near-future science fiction, creating stories that are both grounded in reality and rich with imaginative possibilities. Her debut short story collection, The Rock Eaters, published by Penguin Books in 2021, garnered critical acclaim and was recognized as one of NPR's and the New York Public Library's best books of the year. The collection features over forty stories that explore the intersections of Latina girlhood, societal expectations, and the surreal. Peynado's work has earned her prestigious accolades, including an O. Henry Prize, a Pushcart Prize, and the Chicago Tribune's Nelson Algren Award. Her stories have been featured in esteemed journals such as Tor.com, The Georgia Review, and The Sun. In 2024, Peynado released her novella Time’s Agent, a multiverse narrative that examines themes of love, loss, and the ethical dilemmas of time travel. The novella was well-received, earning spots on Amazon Editors' and Book Riot's best books lists for August 2024. It was also a finalist for the Philip K. Dick Award. The story centers on a disgraced time researcher who embarks on a final mission to redeem herself and confront the consequences of her past actions. Peynado's academic journey reflects her commitment to storytelling and the exploration of narrative structures. She holds a Ph.D. in fiction from the University of Cincinnati and an MFA from Florida State University. Her scholarly interests focus on the craft of writing the unreal, and she has taught courses in screenwriting, fiction, and science fiction & fantasy writing. Currently, she serves as an assistant professor of creative writing at the University of South Florida, where she continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of writers.