Mia Alvar is a Filipino-American author who was born in the Philippines and raised in Bahrain and the United States. She earned her Bachelor's degree from Harvard University and a Masters in Fine Arts from Columbia University. 

Her debut book, "In the Country", is a collection of interconnected short stories that explore the experiences of Filipinos living both in the Philippines and abroad. The book has received critical acclaim and was a finalist for the 2016 PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Fiction. 

Mia Alvar is a writer who is known for her compelling and intricate short stories that explore the complexities of Filipino identity, culture, and diaspora. She has been recognized for her work by numerous literary awards and grants, including the Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers Award and the 2016 PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Fiction. In addition to her writing, Alvar has also worked as a journalist and teacher, and has been involved in various literary programs and organizations. She currently lives in New York City.