Karen E. Bender is the author of "Refund," a finalist for the National Book Award for fiction, short-listed for the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award, and long-listed for the Story Prize. She is also the author of the novels "Like Normal People" and "A Town of Empty Rooms." Her new collection of stories, "The New Order," explores contemporary themes and ideas, shining a spotlight on the dark corners of our nature, our instincts, and our country. She is the Visiting Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing at Hollins University.