Trained as a social worker, Bloom has practiced psychotherapy. She is currently a part-time lecturer of Creative Writing in the department of English at Yale University, and has been named the Kim-Frank Family University Writer in Residence at Wesleyan University, effective July 1, 2010. Although not a psychologist, her involvement with psychotherapy played a role in writing the Lifetime Television network TV show, State of Mind, which takes a look at the professional lives of psychiatrists. Bloom is listed as creator, a co-executive producer, and head writer for the series. Bloom received her B.A. in Theater/Political Science, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Wesleyan University, and a M.S.W. (Masters of Social Work) from Smith College.

In addition to novels, Bloom has written articles in periodicals including The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic Monthly, Vogue, Slate, and Salon.com. Her short fiction has appeared in The Best American Short Stories, The O. Henry Prize Stories and several other anthologies, and has won a National Magazine Award.

Come to Me: Stories (1993) (short stories)

Love Invents Us (1997) (novel)

A Blind Man Can See How Much I Love You (2000) (short stories)

Away (2007) (novel)

Where the God of Love Hangs Out (2009) (short stories)

1. I do not say what I feel, and people often take that for shyness, even kindness.

2. You cannot fake effort; talent is great, but perseverance is necessary.