Emma Copley Eisenberg

Emma Copley Eisenberg (born 1987) is an American queer writer of fiction and nonfiction works. Her first book, The Third Rainbow Girl, was nominated for an Edgar Award, Lambda Literary Award, and Anthony Bouchercon Award.

Personal life Copley Eisenberg was raised in New York City and currently resides in Philadelphia.

She received a bachelor of arts from Haverford College and an MFA in fiction writing from the University of Virginia.

In 2007, as a college student, Copley Eisenberg completed an internship in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, the location of her book The Third Rainbow Girl. The experience lingered with her, and she returned in 2009 and lived there until 2011, during which time she served as an AmeriCorps member

Career Copley Eisenberg has taught fiction writing at Bryn Mawr College, Temple University, Haverford College, and Wesleyan University, the University of Virginia, and ZYZZYVA.

In 2018, along with several other writers, Copley Eisenberg co-founded Blue Stoop, She is currently on the board of the organization.

Writing Copley Eisenberg's work has appeared in The New York Times, McSweeney's, Granta, The Virginia Quarterly Review, Tin House, Esquire, Guernica, The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Citizen, A local farmer was convicted in 1993 but was released when Joseph Paul Franklin confessed to the crime. Throughout the story's telling, Copley Eisenberg provides insight into the harmful stories told and believed about people who live in Appalachia. She also discusses how "this mysterious murder has loomed over all those affected for generations, shaping their fears, fates, and desires."

Housemates (2024) Copley Eisenberg's second book, Housemates, was published by Hogarth and released May 28, 2024. In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews called the book "emotionally rich and quietly thought-provoking, this is simply a stunning fiction debut." Publishers Weekly described the story as starting slow, "but once Eisenberg revs the engine, she reaches luminous heights. Readers will count themselves lucky to go along for the ride." Electric Literature positively summed up the novel: "At heart, Housemates is a joyous novel that bubbles with the effervescence of queer youth, celebrates the idiosyncratic and sometimes absurd queer culture of West Philadelphia, and chases down young love."

The novel was a national bestseller, named a best book of 2024 by The Boston Globe, People magazine, NBC, Kirkus Reviews, Autostraddle, Them.us, and Electric Literature, and recommended on Good Morning America.

Fat Swim (2026) Copley Eisenberg's third book, Fat Swim, is a set of interlinked stores following multiple characters "navigating bodies, queerness, power, and sex" and is to be released in April 2026 by Hogarth.