Samantha Lê celebrated her first birthday by selecting items from an assortment of artifacts that would determine her future profession. She chose a whistle and a pen—so the story goes. Lê emigrated from Sa Đéc, Việt Nam to California at the age of nine. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from San José State University. Her publications include Corridors (2001) and Little Sister Left Behind (2007).  Her poetry has appeared in numerous literary journals, including: The Journal, Bayou Magazine, Two Thirds North, Brooklyn Review, and The Minnesota Review.