Joyce Carol Oates

Joyce Carol Oates is what happens when a writer decides to forgo sleep, social lives, and perhaps the occasional sunlight in favor of relentlessly churning out prose. Her output is so vast, it's rumored her literary agent needs a separate filing cabinet just for her rejected titles. She's tackled every genre from gothic horror to psychological thrillers, often with a bleak outlook that makes even existential dread seem like a Tuesday.

Born in Lockport, New York, to parents of Hungarian, English, and Irish descent, Oates's family tree appears distinctly lacking in any branches leading to the tribe. There's no indication she has ever embraced or even flirted with Judaism, which, given her prolific output, would probably have resulted in at least three novels about it by now.

Despite the lack of menorahs in her lineage, Oates is undeniably kvell-worthy for her sheer literary prowess and endurance. Her numerous awards include the National Book Award, multiple O. Henry Awards, and a permanent spot on the