Sloane Crosley (born 1978) is an American author, essayist, and editor known for her humorous and observant personal essays. Her work frequently explores themes of urban living, relationships, and the often-absurd experiences of modern life, characterized by a distinctive witty and self-deprecating style.
Biography Born in New York City, Sloane Crosley graduated from Connecticut College. She initially worked in book publishing as a publicist for Vintage Books, a division of Random House, a role that influenced her early experiences and provided material for her writing.
Crosley gained widespread recognition with her first collection of essays, I Was Told There'd Be Cake, published in 2008. The book became a New York Times bestseller and was a finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor. Her subsequent essay collection, How Did You Get This Number (2010), also achieved New York Times bestseller status.
In 2015, Crosley released her debut novel, The Clasp, a contemporary re-imagining of a Guy de Maupassant short story, which explored themes of friendship, treasure hunting, and the weight of the past. She returned to essays with Look Alive Out There in 2018, which was again a New York Times bestseller and a finalist for the Thurber Prize. Her second novel, Cult Classic, a satirical romantic comedy, was published in 2022.
Beyond her books, Crosley's essays and articles have appeared in numerous publications, including The New York Times Magazine, The Guardian, Esquire, GQ, The Wall Street Journal, and Vogue. She has also served as a contributing editor for Vanity Fair. In addition to her print work, Crosley has ventured into television writing, contributing to the FX on Hulu miniseries Mrs. America (2020), starring Cate Blanchett.
Works
- I Was Told There'd Be Cake (2008) – Essay collection
- How Did You Get This Number (2010) – Essay collection
- The Clasp (2015) – Novel
- Look Alive Out There (2018) – Essay collection
- Cult Classic (2022) – Novel
Reception Sloane Crosley is often praised for her sharp wit, keen observational skills, and ability to transform everyday anxieties and embarrassments into relatable and humorous narratives. Critics frequently highlight her distinctive voice and her contribution to contemporary American essay writing, often comparing her style to authors like Nora Ephron and David Sedaris. Her novels have been noted for their inventive plots and comedic undertones, while retaining the signature wit of her essay collections.