Bonnie Pipkin

Bonnie Pipkin is a writer, educator, and storyteller who believes in the power of prose, performance, and public displays of affection. She holds an MFA from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her debut novel, Aftercare Instructions (2017), is a raw and poignant young adult story of love, loss, and self-discovery.

The novel follows seventeen-year-old Genesis "Gen" Johnson, who is abandoned by her boyfriend, Peter, at a Planned Parenthood clinic during an appointment to terminate a pregnancy. Struggling with the weight of his betrayal, Gen embarks on a journey of self-reinvention, confronting painful truths about her relationship, past and herself. Told in a mix of prose and script-style flashbacks, Aftercare Instructions is a deeply moving exploration of resilience, identity and the complexities of reproductive choice.

Kathleen Glasgow, Robin Wasserman, and National Book Award finalist An Na have praised the novel for its emotional depth and fearless storytelling. Pipkin's work resonates with readers seeking authentic, heartfelt stories about the pivotal moments of young adulthood.

Pipkin is currently working on her next novel, sneaking in writing time between caring for her young children.

Originally from California, Bonnie Pipkin now teaches literature at Kean University in Brooklyn.

Photo credit: Stephanie Levy