Deanna Fei’s first book, “A Thread of Sky,” has just been published but, already, it has left breathless readers exclaiming its beauty and complexity.

“A Thread of Sky is a lyrical journey through the heart of contemporary China, and the family of women who make the pilgrimage across these pages are as complicated, broad-ranging, and fascinating as the country itself. Deanna Fei is one to watch.”

-Ann Patchett

Fei graduated with her MFA from the famed Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa and she received a Fulbright Scholarship with the assistance of staff from UI International Programs. Here she credits International Programs for helping her return to China for the research and personal perspective that was critical to her writing.