Emilie Khair is the author of the biographies Passion’s Piano: The Eddie Heywood Story and A Beautiful Puzzle: Nadia’s Journey from East to West as well as the children’s book, Kudzu for Christmas. Ignoring Alva is her first novel

She holds undergraduate degrees in theatre arts and English education from the University of Minnesota, a master’s degree in special education from the University of West Georgia, and a doctorate in sociology from Georgia State University. She has two sons and resides in McDonough, Georgia, with her husband of thirty-five years. While Emilie’s roots are in Minnesota, her southern experiences are an inspiration to her writing.