Clement A Miles

Jennifer Clement, born in 1960, is an American-Mexican writer whose works span novels, poetry collections, and memoirs. She spent her early years in Mexico City after moving from Connecticut and pursued her education in both Mexico and the United States, earning an MFA from the University of Southern Maine. Clement has received significant recognition for her literary contributions, including fellowships and awards, and her books have been translated into numerous languages.

Beyond her writing, Clement has held prominent leadership roles, notably as the first woman president of PEN International from 2015 to 2018. During her tenure, she was instrumental in advocating for journalists' safety and establishing important manifestos. She is also a co-founder of the San Miguel Poetry Week. Her novel 'Prayers for the Stolen' was adapted into a film that represented Mexico in the 2022 Oscars.

Jennifer Clement's literary output includes novels such as 'Gun Love' (2018) and 'Prayers for the Stolen' (2014), as well as poetry collections and memoirs like 'Widow Basquiat' (2001), which offers a perspective on artist Jean-Michel Basquiat through his muse. Her first novel, 'A True Story Based on Lies,' was a finalist for the Orange Prize for Fiction. 'Prayers for the Stolen' garnered critical acclaim, appearing on numerous best-of lists and serving as a selection for National Reading Group Month. Clement's poetry includes titles such as 'The Next Stranger' and 'Newton's Sailor.' Her story 'A Salamander-Child' was published as an art book in collaboration with painter Gustavo Monroy.

Clement has played a significant role in literary organizations. She served as President of PEN Mexico from 2009 to 2012 and made history as the first woman elected president of PEN International in 2015. In this capacity, she championed initiatives like the PEN International Women's Manifesto and The Democracy of the Imagination Manifesto. Her work as president of PEN Mexico also involved advocating for the safety of journalists, contributing to a law that made the killing of a journalist a federal crime. She is also a co-director and founder of the San Miguel Poetry Week with her sister, Barbara Sibley.

Her novel 'Prayers for the Stolen' received a National Endowment of the Arts Fellowship for Literature and the Sara Curry Humanitarian Award, and was adapted into a film titled 'Noche de fuego,' which was Mexico's submission for the 2022 Oscars and won an award at the Cannes Film Festival. 'Gun Love' was a finalist for the National Book Award, named a top 10 book by Time magazine, and received a Guggenheim Fellowship. Clement is a recipient of the Canongate Prize and has been a fellow at various prestigious institutions, including the MacDowell Colony and the Santa Maddalena Foundation. Her works have been translated into 36 languages.