(born 1947) Writer known for her mastery of both the novel and short story. Beattie combines comedy and insightful social observation in a deadpan style in her depictions of American life, focusing on middle-class and educated Northeasterners. Chilly Scenes of Winter (1976), her debut novel, was published in the same year as her first collection of short stories, Distortions. Her later works include the story collection Park City (1998), as well as novels Picturing Will (1989), Another You (1995) and My Life, Starring Dara Falcon (1997).