Cris Mazza (born 1956) is an American novelist, essayist, and educator known for her experimental narratives and exploration of gender, power, and trauma. Raised in Chicago, she earned an MFA from San Diego State University and has published works like 'How to Leave a Country' and 'Various Men Who Knew Us as Girls.' Her writing challenges traditional forms and addresses feminist themes. Mazza has taught at several universities, including Northern Illinois University and Palo Alto College, influencing emerging writers. Her work appears in anthologies like 'Best American Short Stories,' and she has received awards such as the Illinois Arts Council Fellowship. Mazza's unique voice combines personal experience with fiction, examining identity and memory.
