Richard Russo is an American novelist, short story writer, screenwriter, and teacher. He won the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction in 2002 for his novel Empire Falls. His work is characterized by realistic portrayals of rural and small-town communities in the Northeastern United States, with particular focus on Maine, Pennsylvania, and his native Upstate New York. Several of Russo's works have been adapted for television and film, extending the reach of his storytelling beyond the page. In addition to his writing career, he has worked as a teacher, contributing to the literary community through education.