Jas Hammonds (they/she) was raised in many cities and between the pages of many books. They have received support for their writing from the Highlights Foundation, Baldwin for the Arts and more. They are also a grateful recipient of the MacDowell James Baldwin Fellowship. Their bestselling debut novel, We Deserve Monuments, won the 2023 Coretta Scott King – John Steptoe Award for New Talent. Their second novel, Thirsty, was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. They live in New Jersey.