Lara Prescott

Lara Prescott's interest in Dr. Zhivago started in infancy. Literally. She was named after the famed love interest Lara Antipova.  

Not much can be found on Lara's childhood. She's described as living an anonymous Texas existence. It was suggested in a New York Times profile that she finds comfort in living far from the publishing industry.  

What is known is that she graduated from American University in Washington DC with a degree in Political Science. After graduation, she worked on several political campaigns writing stump speeches, social media posts, etc. Feeling burned out from politics, she decided to shift gears and pursue a MFA. She received a MFA from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas.  

Her first novel The Secrets We Kept was a New York Times bestseller and a Hello Sunshine x Reese Witherspoon pick. It's been translated into over 30 languages and the film rights were picked up. It's unknown if the novel will be adapted into a feature-length film or a TV series.  

She was inspired to write The Secrets We Kept when her father forwarded her a newspaper clipping on how Dr. Zhivago was used by the CIA as anti-communist propaganda in Russia. Running with this idea, she weaves historical facts into a story focusing on the women of the CIA.   

Lara has also published numerous short stories. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband Mathew Prescott, their cats, and their dogs. You can learn more about Lara on her website or check out her Goodreads profile.