Mia Alvar is a Filipino-American author best known for her debut collection of short stories, "In the Country," which was published in 2015. Born in the Philippines and raised in Bahrain and the United States, Alvar's work often explores themes of diaspora, exile, and the Filipino experience across various landscapes. Her writing has been praised for its nuanced portrayals of immigrant lives and its rich emotional texture. With "In the Country," Alvar garnered critical acclaim, winning the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Fiction and the Philippine National Book Award, among other honors. Her stories have appeared in various literary journals and anthologies, establishing her as a compelling voice in contemporary fiction.