Jessica Zafra has written two collections of short stories, as well as a dozen collections of essays on film, literature, travel, rock music, popular culture and current affairs. She has received Palanca Awards for her short stories, and the National Book Award for her collection of essays. Her essays have also appeared in the New Yorker and Newsweek. She was editor-in-chief of Flip: The Official Guide to World Domination, and Manila Envelope. She conducts writing workshops, hosts a monthly book club and does a podcast called Podcats.