Author: Jan Novak
Alternate names: Novák, Jan
Born: 1953
Bio: <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Nov%C3%A1k_%28writer%29">Jan Novák</a></b> (b. 1953) is a Czech-American author, screenwriter and playwright.  He has published extensively in both Czech and English, also translating numerous works of Vaclav Havel into English.  His English-language novels include <i>Commies, Crooks, Gypsies, Spooks, and Poets</i> and <i>The Willys Dream Kit</i>. Novák received his undergraduate education at <a href="http://shimer.edu">Shimer College</a>, a small <a href="http://www.shimer.edu/academicprograms/curriculum/index.cfm">Great Books college</a> in Illinois, and later at the University of Chicago, where he also completed his master's degree.  Novák has received numerous awards for his work, including the Carl Sandburg Award and the Magnesia Litera award. (from <a href="http://shimercollege.wikia.com/Jan_Nov%C3%A1k#Brief_description">Shimer College Wiki</a>)