Mona Simpson (born Mona Elizabeth Jandali, June 14, 1957) is an American novelist and essayist. She is known for her richly detailed characters and deep exploration of the nuances of relationships, particularly within families. Simpson's literary reputation was established with her debut novel "Anywhere But Here" (1986), which tells the story of a mother and daughter's tumultuous relationship and their journey from the Midwest to California. The book became a critical success and was later adapted into a film. Her subsequent novels, including "The Lost Father," "A Regular Guy," and "My Hollywood," further solidified her standing as a prominent voice in contemporary American fiction. Mona Simpson has received considerable recognition for her work, including a Whiting Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a Literature Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. In addition to her novels, she has written for publications such as The New Yorker, Harper's, and The Atlantic. Another notable aspect of Simpson's background is her personal connection to the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs; she is his biological sister, although they grew up separately and only connected as adults. Simpson teaches creative writing and is a professor of English at the University of California, Los Angeles.