Sena Jeter Naslund is an American author known for her novels that often explore themes of identity, history, and the human experience. Born on July 18, 1942, in Birmingham, Alabama, she has published several works, including the acclaimed novel Ahab's Wife, which reimagines the life of Captain Ahab from Herman Melville's classic, Moby-Dick. In addition to her fiction, Naslund has written essays and short stories, contributing to various literary journals. She has received multiple awards for her writing, including the Thomas Wolfe Award. Naslund also served as a professor at the University of Louisville, where she taught creative writing.