Simen Oem

Simen Oem studied political economy and anthropology in Charleston, South Carolina and Krakow, Poland before moving to South Asia, where he has lived for a tumultuous decade.

Mr. Oem published two books of essays on faith, life and culture in his beautiful, challenging Southeast Asian home, "More than Liquid" and "The Girl Who Lives on Heaven Hill."

He is the author of the novels "The Ring Walk" and "Salem Hates Sarah," as well as two other volumes of poetry.