Leila Mottley (born 2002) is an American novelist and poet.[1] She is the The New York Times bestselling author of Nightcrawling, an Oprah's Book Club pick.

Early Life

Mottley was born and raised in Oakland, California, where she continues to live.[2] She attended Smith College and was mentored by her writing professor author Ruth Ozeki who helped her navigate a bidding war for her debut novel Nightcrawling.[3]

Career

Mottley was named the Youth Poet Laureate of Oakland, California in 2018 at age 16, having served the prior year as Vice Youth Poet Laureate.[4] Her poetry has appeared in The New York Times.[5]

Mottley co-wrote and starred in a documentary short, When I Write It, an official selection of the Tribeca Film Festival in 2020.[6]

In June 2022, Mottley published her first novel, Nightcrawling. She is the youngest author ever selected for Oprah's Book Club.[7] Nightcrawling was longlisted for the Booker Prize on July 26, 2022. Mottley was the youngest author ever to be longlisted.[8]

Personal Life

Mottley and her partner Mo Enriquez live together.[9]

References