Rita Mae Brown

Rita Mae Brown (born 1944) is an American feminist writer and activist. She is best known for her debut novel, *Rubyfruit Jungle* (1973), a landmark work of lesbian coming-of-age fiction that helped bring LGBTQ themes into mainstream publishing. Brown has also written essays, screenplays, and later turned to popular mystery fiction, including the long-running “Sneaky Pie Brown” series, credited to her cat narrator. Her work often blends humor with sharp social observation and has been associated with feminist and gay rights movements. Brown’s career spans literary fiction and genre writing, reflecting a commitment to storytelling with political edge.