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R.O. Kwon

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Born

Seoul

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http://ro-kwon.com

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November 2017

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R.O. Kwon is the author of the nationally bestselling novel Exhibit, a New York Times Editors’ Choice, which was published in 2024. Kwon’s bestselling first novel, The Incendiaries, was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle John Leonard Award and the Los Angeles Times Art Seidenbaum Prize. With Garth Greenwell, Kwon co-edited Kink, a New York Times Notable Book. Kwon’s books have been translated into seven languages and named a best book of the year by over forty publications.

Kwon’s writing has appeared in The New York Times, New Yorker, Time, Vanity Fair, Guardian, and elsewhere. Born in Seoul, Kwon has lived most of her life in the United States.

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Hi, We read "The Incendiaries" and really enjoyed it and look forward to your future work! When you have a piece of fiction published, such as your novel or your other short pieces, do you go back and read them? I could understand if you don't, given the amount of hard work required to publish something or could it be a case of "these characters have said all they want to say to me" (if that makes sense)?

R.O. Kwon I love this question—and thank you for the kind words! It varies, to be honest. I've reread some short pieces, but I haven't reread my novel in full s…moreI love this question—and thank you for the kind words! It varies, to be honest. I've reread some short pieces, but I haven't reread my novel in full since I last edited it. I think often of what the artist Louise Bourgeois said when someone asked how she knew a sculpture was finished: she said it was when the questions stopped. That was, in part, how I knew I'd finished this novel.(less)

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When you were writing The Incendiaries, what did you consider the most crucial part of the process?

R.O. Kwon The easiest answer would be all of it—I wanted to get all of it right! But I'll also say that I love, love sentences. I can think about a single sente…moreThe easiest answer would be all of it—I wanted to get all of it right! But I'll also say that I love, love sentences. I can think about a single sentence all day. I wanted to get this novel to a place where I could open it, pick out any line at random, and not want to revise it all over again.(less)

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R.O. Kwon’s books

Average rating: 3.18 · 34,454 ratings · 5,066 reviews · 9 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Incendiaries 3.21 avg rating — 25,622 ratings — published 2018 — 25 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Kink: Stories by R.O. Kwon (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Garth Greenwell (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Melissa Febos (Goodreads Author) (Contributor) 3.09 avg rating — 5,812 ratings — published 2021 — 12 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Exhibit 3.05 avg rating — 2,608 ratings — published 2024 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	I Know What's Best for You: Stories on Reproductive Freedom by Shelly Oria (Editor), Tommy Orange (Goodreads Author) (Contributor), R.O. Kwon (Goodreads Author) (Contributor) 4.19 avg rating — 333 ratings — published 2022 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	no ordinary love by Roxane Gay (Goodreads Author), R.O. Kwon (Goodreads Author), Oisín McKenna 2.15 avg rating — 85 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	What to Eat with What You Read: A Guide for Book Clubs and Other Literary Gatherings by Samantha Schoech (Editor), Vanessa Hua (Goodreads Author) (Contributor), Sofija Stefanovic (Goodreads Author) (Contributor) 3.56 avg rating — 36 ratings — published 2019 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Kink 3.75 avg rating — 4 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Kinkier: Stories by R.O. Kwon (Goodreads Author), Bryan Washington 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Kinkier: Stories by R.O. Kwon (Goodreads Author), Bryan Washington 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Which work of fiction would you like to read with our group during November? All our books are in accessible formats. Please vote here, and good luck!

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167 total votes

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