Emily Toth

Emily Toth is a professor of English and Women’s Studies at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She’s yet another member of my Greater New Orleans writing group, and has the honor of being the one who travels the farthest to meet with us. Emily wrote an historical novel called Daughters of New Orleans in 1983, but is best known for her nonfiction. She is an expert on Kate Chopin, and has written two well received biographies on her, one of which was nominated for a Pulitzer. Emily has also published a biography on Grace Metalious, the woman who wrote Peyton Place. That book (Emily’s) has actually been optioned for a potential movie starring Sandra Bullock.

It’s perhaps easiest to find Emily today through her “Ms. Mentor” column for the Chronicle of Higher Education. Ms. Mentor provides advice, generally with a twist of tart humor, for academics who are struggling with careers and personal lives. Even if you aren’t an academic, the column is funny.