ABOUT MELISSA

Melissa Leet is a novelist who explores profound, often unanswerable questions through the art of storytelling. Her work delves into themes of resilience, loss, and renewal, as seen in her acclaimed novel Landslide, which examines how individuals find strength amid catastrophic loss. Currently, Melissa is working on a new novel inspired by the power of storytelling across cultures, questioning how narratives help us make sense of the world—and what remains when stories collide with scientific truths.

Melissa holds a BA from Smith College, an MBA from Columbia University, and an MA from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. She is also the founder of Chinafolio, a think tank dedicated to researching China’s development and its evolving role in the global order. A lifelong learner and global citizen, Melissa has lived in London, Paris, Madrid, and currently resides in Chicago.