Alvydas Šlepikas was born in 1966 in the Molėtai region. He is a writer, theater director and actor. He graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater, then worked in theater, television and film. From 1995-99 he was editor of the cultural publication Literatūra ir menas. He writes poetry, fiction and drama. In 1994, he published a collection with the group Svetimi (Strangers) and in 2014 the group reunited for another publication of co-authored poems. His first (solo) poetry collection Peace for Your Blood appeared in 1997 and won the Zigmas Gėlė Prize. His 2003 collection Approaching Silence was a finalist for Most Creative Book, and his 2019 collection, My Father is Dying won the Yotvingian Award. His 2012 novel, Mano vardas – Marytė (En. title In the Shadow of Wolves) won literary prizes in Lithuania and Germany. In Poland, it was shortlisted for the Angelus Prize for Central European Literature. The English translation was listed among the books of the year by The Times (as well as being selected for book of the month in the UK), and was listed among the most important translations of the year by World Literature Today.