Background
Febos grew up in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Her father was a sea captain, and her mother a therapist.
Febos grew up in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Her father was a sea captain, and her mother a therapist.
She attended night courses at Harvard Extension School, then enrolled in The New School and moved to New York City in August 1999. She later earned an Master of Fine Arts at Sarah Lawrence College.
She is the author of Whip Smart (2010), a memoir of her work as a professional dominatrix while she was studying at The New School. She left home at sixteen after passing the General Educational Development, moved to Boston, and work at an assortment of jobs including as a boatyard hand and as a chambermaid. Febos is the co-curator, with Rebecca Keith, of the monthly Mixer Reading and Music series on the Lower East Side.
A three-time MacDowell Colony fellow, she has received fellowships from Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Vermont Studio Center, and the Bread Loaf Writers" Conference.
She has taught at State University of New York Purchase College, the Gotham Writers" Workshop, The New School, Sarah Lawrence College, New York University, and Utica College. She currently teaches at Monmouth University.
Febos has contributed to publications such as The New York Times, Salon, Bomb (magazine), Hunger Mountain, Prairie Schooner, The Kenyon Review, Post Road, Dissent, The Southeast Review, Redivider, The Rambler, The Huffington Post, Bitch Magazine and The Chronicle of Higher Education. Whip Smart resulted in a front-page appearance on the cover of the New York Post, a feature interview on National Public Radio"s radio program Fresh Air with Terry Gross, a guest appearance on Anderson Cooper"s talk show, and an appearance on Cable News Network"s Doctor Drew show.