Tama Janowitz

Date of Birth: April 12, 1957

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Biography

Tama Janowitz is an American novelist and a significant figure in the 1980s literary scene. She was born on April 12, 1957, in San Francisco, California. Janowitz gained prominence with her collection of short stories, “Slaves of New York,” published in 1986. The book, which offered a satirical look at the bohemian lifestyle in New York City, became a bestseller and was later adapted into a film in 1989. Janowitz’s work often explores themes of materialism, social status, and the complexities of urban life. She is considered one of the “Brat Pack” authors, a group of young writers who rose to fame in the 1980s, alongside Bret Easton Ellis and Jay McInerney. Throughout her career, Janowitz has published several novels, including “A Cannibal in Manhattan” (1987), “The Male Cross-Dresser Support Group” (1992), and “Scream: A Memoir of Glamour and Dysfunction” (2016).

5 Interesting Facts about Tama Janowitz

1. Tama Janowitz appeared on the cover of the August 1986 issue of “New York Magazine,” which significantly boosted her public profile.

2. She graduated from Barnard College, one of the prestigious Seven Sisters colleges.

3. Janowitz’s “Slaves of New York” was adapted into a film directed by James Ivory, in which Janowitz also made a cameo appearance.

4. She has worked as a columnist for publications like “Interview” magazine and has contributed to various anthologies and periodicals.

5. Janowitz’s memoir, “Scream: A Memoir of Glamour and Dysfunction,” details her struggles with mental health and her experiences in the literary world.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Tama Janowitz

1. “The world is divided into two kinds of people: those who have tattoos, and those who are afraid of people with tattoos.”

2. “Success is like a lightning bolt. It’ll strike you when you least expect it and hit you in places that even your mother never mentioned.”

3. “I’d rather be a failure at something I love than a success at something I hate.”

4. “New York City is a place where almost anything you want can come true, but it can also be a place where you can lose everything.”

5. “Writing is a way of talking without being interrupted.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At her peak, Tama Janowitz’s net worth was estimated to be around $3 million.

Children

Tama Janowitz has one child, a daughter named Willow, born in the late 1990s. Janowitz has often spoken about balancing her writing career with motherhood and the challenges and joys that come with it.