Robin Sloan

Robin Sloan is an American author and practitioner of media technology who is widely known for his acclaimed novels, Sourdough and Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore. As an accomplished writer, his oeuvre includes articles, essays, and works of fiction. His writing often explores the intersection of technology and culture.

Sloan was born in Oakland and graduated from Michigan State University in 2004 with a degree in history and sociology. After college, he began his career in journalism, working as a web producer and reporter for a variety of media outlets. In 2006, he jumped into the world of technology and worked as a web developer and consultant for a variety of companies and websites. In 2011, he became a web producer for All Things Considered at NPR. During this time he was also contributing articles and reviews to publications such as The Atlantic and The San Francisco Chronicle.

Sloan’s fiction writing career was launched in 2009 with his debut novel, Sourdough, a novel about a San Francisco restaurant owner who discovers the secret to making the perfect bread thanks to a mysterious starter. The novel was positively received and was named a Barnes & Noble Discover Pick and an American Booksellers Association Indie Pick. It would later be adapted into a feature film starring Laura Linney and Dakota Johnson.

His second novel, Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, was released in 2012 and further explored the connection between technology and culture. The novel follows Clay Jannon, a web designer who is hired to work at a strange bookstore and in the process uncovers a centuries-old mystery. The novel was praised for its imaginative world-building and was a New York Times bestseller and an Indie Next List Pick. It was also adapted into a feature film starring Katie Aselton and Jack Black.

In 2018, Sloan released his third novel, Sourdough and Other Stories, which featured a selection of short stories centered around the themes of technology, food, and innovation. The collection of stories was lauded for its wit and humor and featured tales such as “The Game of Boxes,” which follows a cardboard competition that becomes an underground sensation.

Sloan has become an acclaimed author with a knack for weaving together stories that offer an unexpected blend of technology and culture. From his debut novel, Sourdough to the more recent Sourdough and Other Stories, his writings are a pleasure to read, as they challenge perspectives and explore what technology can create. He is a unique author who has a knack for creating intriguing stories that often feature unexpected plot points while remaining entertaining and thought-provoking.