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Susan Lieu is a Vietnamese American author, playwright, and performer. A daughter of nail salon workers, she took her award-winning autobiographical solo show 140 LBS: How Beauty Killed My Mother on a sold-out national tour with accolades from the Los Angeles Times and American Theatre. Her debut memoir, The Manicurist’s Daughter, was a best book of the year from NPR and the Smithsonian, a finalist for the Washington State Book Award and Goodreads Choice Awards, and a Must Listen of the Month from Apple Books. Recognized as one of Seattle’s “Most Influential People,” Susan is a graduate of Harvard and Yale, with writing residencies at Hedgebrook, Millay Arts, Vashon Artist Residency, and Mineral School. As an activist, she helped change a California medical malpractice law to protect low-income victims. She is also the co-founder of Socola Chocolatier, an award-winning artisanal chocolate company with Vietnamese-inspired flavors. Currently she is the Interim Executive Director of Theatre Off Jackson. Susan lives with her husband and son in Seattle, where they enjoy mushroom hunting, croissants, and big family gatherings.