Hanya Yanagihara is an American author born in Los Angeles, California, in 1974. She graduated from Smith College and went on to work as a writer and editor for various publications, including Conde Nast Traveler and The New York Times. She is the author of two novels, "The People in the Trees" and "A Little Life", which was a finalist for the National Book Award and the Man Booker Prize. Yanagihara's writing is known for its raw and emotional intensity, and her works often explore themes of trauma, identity, and human connection.