A native Minnesotan, Alida grew up with wholesome Midwestern values and a daily dose of “Minnesota Nice,” but always sensed there was more going on behind people’s closed doors. Her stories explore the core of our humanity with richly emotional, darkly themed tales about complicated, real women, their relationships, and the secrets that haunt them.

Winner of the Page Turner Award, Confluence Prize, three times nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and a notable in Best American Essays, Alida is a developmental editor and writing coach with an MFA, over 12 years experience, and a story craft podcast for writers and readers curious about writers, called the Story Works Round Table.