Denise Chong is a writer, public servant, and renowned commentator on Canadian history. She was a senior economic advisor in the PMO and worked closely with Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, after which she left the public service to become a professional writer. Chong's best known book, The Concubine's Children, won the Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction and the City of Vancouver Book Award. Her second major book, The Girl in the Picture, was shortlisted for a Governor General's Literary Award for nonfiction. Egg on Mao, Chong’s third book, is an exploration of human rights and China’s political system. She has continued her involvement in public life and has served on many public boards, task forces, and committees.  Recently, she sat on the jury of the Weston International Award. Chong lives in Ottawa with her family.