Melissa Febos is an American writer and professor born in 1980 in Falmouth, Massachusetts. She has established herself as an accomplished author across multiple genres, with a particular focus on memoir and personal essay. Febos is the author of five books that have garnered significant critical attention. Her memoir Whip Smart was published in 2010, followed by her essay collection Girlhood in 2021, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award that same year. Her more recent memoir, The Dry Season, was published in 2025. Beyond her writing career, Febos works as a professor, contributing to the literary community through teaching. She maintains an active online presence and can be found on her website and social media platforms.