You are likely thinking of Edna Ferber, a highly acclaimed American novelist and short-story writer. She was known for her vibrant, realistic portrayals of American life, often set in the Midwest and West.
Some of her most famous works include:
* So Big (1924)
* Show Boat (1926)
* Cimarron (1930)
* Giant (1952)
While there may be other writers with the last name Ferber, Edna Ferber is by far the most prominent and well-known.