Helene Stapinski

<p>Helene Stapinski is the author of <em>Five-Finger Discount: A Crooked Family History, </em>which recounts her family’s criminal history, and <em>Baby Plays Around: A Love Affair, with Music,</em> which chronicles her years playing drums in a rock band in Manhattan. She has written extensively for the<em> New York Times </em>as well as for <em>New York</em> magazine,<em> Salon, Travel & Leisure, </em>and dozens of other publications and essay collections. On the documentary based on <em>Five-Finger Discount, </em>she has worked as a producer and writer. Stapinski has been a radio newscaster in Alaska; has appeared on National Public Radio; was a featured performer with The Moth; has lectured at her alma mater, Columbia University; and has taught at Fordham University. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children.</p>