Beth Brown

Beth Macy is an American journalist and author born around 1964. She has authored five books, four of which have become national bestsellers. Her writing often delves into complex societal issues, including the opioid crisis, globalization's impact on American towns, and family dynamics.

Macy's career began in journalism, where she worked for The Roanoke Times for over two decades, earning numerous awards for her reporting. She pursued higher education, obtaining degrees in journalism and creative writing. Her work has been recognized with prestigious fellowships, including a Nieman Fellowship from Harvard and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Several of her books have been adapted into other media, such as the Hulu series based on "Dopesick."

Born around 1964, Beth Macy grew up in Urbana, Ohio. Her father was a housepainter, and her mother, Sarah Macy Slack, worked in a factory. Macy was the first in her family to pursue higher education, earning a bachelor's degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University in 1986. She furthered her education by obtaining a master's degree in creative writing from Hollins University in 1993.

Macy's journalistic career spanned from 1989 to 2014 as a reporter for The Roanoke Times. During this time, she received numerous accolades for her reporting on subjects such as race, immigration, elder care, and teen pregnancy. She has also contributed essays and opinion pieces to publications like The New York Times. Her academic achievements include a Nieman Fellowship for Journalism from Harvard University in 2010 and a Guggenheim Fellowship for General Non-Fiction in 2023.

Beth Macy is the author of several acclaimed non-fiction books. Her works include "Factory Man" (2014), "Truevine" (2016), "Dopesick" (2018), "Raising Lazarus" (2022), and "Paper Girl" (2025). "Dopesick," which examines the opioid crisis and the role of Purdue Pharma, was adapted into an eight-episode Hulu series in 2020, for which Macy served as an executive producer and co-writer. "Raising Lazarus" explores grassroots efforts to combat addiction, and "Paper Girl" is a memoir reflecting on her hometown's changes due to globalization and societal issues.

In November 2025, Beth Macy announced her intention to run for the U.S. House of Representatives. She is seeking to represent Virginia's 6th congressional district as a Democratic candidate in the 2026 midterm elections.