Craig Lancaster

Last updated
Craig Lancaster
BornFebruary 9, 1970 (1970-02-09) (age 54)
Lakewood, Washington, U.S.
Occupation(s)Writer, journalist
Known fornovels: 600 Hours of Edward , Edward Adrift, The Summer Son

Craig Lancaster (born February 9, 1970) is an American author, playwright, and journalist, best known for his novels 600 Hours of Edward , its sequel, Edward Adrift, and The Summer Son . [1] [2] [3] His other notable works include a short story collection as well as numerous articles and essays produced during his career as a newspaper writer and editor. [2] [4] [5] The author, a two-time High Plains Book Award winner, was lauded as "one of Montana's most important writers." [2] [3] [6]

Contents

Lancaster's works are set against the backdrop of the contemporary American West, specifically Montana, where he lives and writes. [3] [6] [7] His prose has been described as deeply emotional and deceptively direct, [8] centering on intense characters who navigate obstacles and relationships in ways that are simultaneously humorous and poignant. [3] [9] [10] [11] His literary influences include Hemingway, Steinbeck, Stegner, and Doig. [7] [11] [12]

Biography

Craig Lancaster was born in Lakewood, Washington, on February 9, 1970. He was adopted by a Wyoming couple who met in Billings, Montana, where he would eventually settle and launch his career as a novelist. [12] [13] After his parents divorced in the early 1970s, his mother remarried and moved Craig to suburban Fort Worth, Texas. [6]

His step-father, a longtime sportswriter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, had a tremendous impact on Lancaster's formative years by encouraging his early interest in writing. [12] [13] [14] [15] Lancaster's fascination with the "Western identity" was also rooted in his childhood, as he traveled extensively during summer vacations to visit his father, who followed work in Western oil fields. [6] [12] Lancaster describes his early memories of Montana as "vast, beautiful, [and] overwhelming," and knew that he "wanted to be a part of it." [6] [7] [12]

Lancaster attended the University of Texas at Arlington, and subsequently made his foray into "The West" of his early imagination via a series of journalistic assignments that led him from Texas to Alaska, Kentucky, Ohio, California, Washington, and eventually, Montana. [4] [12] [13] In 2006, Lancaster moved to Montana, where he married and subsequently divorced in 2015. [13] Lancaster married fellow novelist Elisa Lorello in 2016. [16] His work as a writer and editor has appeared in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram , San Jose Mercury News , Billings Gazette , and Magic City Magazine. [3] [4] [5] [17] He also serves as design director of Montana Quarterly, in addition to being a frequent contributor. [3]

In October and November 2023, Yellowstone Repertory Theatre, a professional troupe in Billings, Montana, staged the world premiere production of Lancaster’s first full-length play, Straight On To Stardust. The play was hailed as “very smart and deeply moving.” [18]

Major works

Novels

Short stories

Nonfiction

Plays

Awards and recognition

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References

  1. ↑ Shank, Jenny (September 11, 2013). "Two Novelists' Love/Hate Relationship with Social Media". PBS. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Crisp, David."Edward Adrift" Archived November 14, 2013, at the Wayback Machine , The Billings Outpost, Billings, June 15, 2013. Retrieved on November 6, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Moore, David, and Simon, Lisa., Reflections West, Year 2, Episode 35, Retrieved on November 6, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 Ames, Larry.“On the Move: Long Road leads to Top Job at Mercury News”, The Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Retrieved on November 6, 2013.
  5. 1 2 Ens, Kaitlin.“Craig Lancaster to Read at Dances with Words” Archived 2013-11-22 at the Wayback Machine , UMW News, Retrieved on November 6, 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/600Hours , Biography, Craig Lancaster, Retrieved on November 6, 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 "C-Span City Tour - Billings". October 4, 2013. Archived from the original on November 14, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  8. ↑ Shafter, Judy (May 10, 2011). "Craig Lancaster - The Summer Son". livelytimes.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  9. 1 2 3 Puffer, Jerry (June 13, 2012). "Sad, Funny, Alarming". K96FM . Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  10. 1 2 3 Evison, Jonathan.“When We Fell In Love--Craig Lancaster” Archived 2014-10-19 at the Wayback Machine , Three Guys One Book (3G1B), February 3, 2001, Retrieved on November 6, 2013.
  11. 1 2 Miller, Mark.“Reading Hemingway in Yellowstone”, M. Mark Miller--News, Views, & Stories, March 1, 2011, Retrieved on November 6, 2013.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 “Craig Lancaster”, Goodreads, Retrieved on November 6, 2013.
  13. 1 2 3 4 “Craig Lancaster”, LibraryThing, Retrieved on 6 November 2013.
  14. 1 2 Sandifer, Linda. “Author Interview: Craig Lancaster", Writing the West, February 17, 2011, Retrieved on 6 November 2013.
  15. ↑ “Craig Lancaster” Archived November 14, 2013, at the Wayback Machine , WritersNet, Retrieved on November 6, 2013.
  16. ↑ Lorello, Elisa."It's Not About the Ring", Elisa Lorello, Author and Writing Coach Blog. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
  17. 1 2 “Craig Lancaster, Author of Edward Adrift”, The Write Question, KUFM, Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  18. ↑ Jorgenson, Chris. "Yellowstone Rep's Production of Local Playwright's "Straight On To Stardust" Is a Stunner"., Billings Gazette, October 22, 2023. Retrieved on November 27, 2023.
  19. 1 2 Collins, Katie (October 1, 2014). "Kindle First Gives Early Access to Amazon Titles for 99p". Wired. Wired.co.uk. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  20. ↑ https://beta.prx.org/stories/157800 , "The Write Question-Craig Lancaster", Retrieved June 21, 212016.
  21. ↑ https://www.craig-lancaster.com/books-edward-unspooled.html
  22. ↑ "Craig Lancaster | Edward Unspooled". November 25, 2016.
  23. ↑ https://www.craig-lancaster.com/books-julep-street.html/
  24. ↑ Kemmick, Ed. "Newspaper Shutdown Sets Stage for New Lancaster Novel"., Last Best News, May 15, 2017. Retrieved on November 27, 2023.
  25. ↑ Hergett, Rachel. "'You Me and Mr. Blue Sky' first collaboration for writing duo". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  26. ↑ Fong, Stella. "High Plains Book Awards Finalist: "And It Will Be a Beautiful Life" by Craig Lancaster"., Billings Gazette, October 3, 2022. Retrieved on November 27, 2023.
  27. ↑ https://www.craig-lancaster.com/books-the-art-of-departure.html
  28. ↑ http://www.worldcat.org/title/past-due-pastorals-memories-and-observations-of-a-mind-adrift-in-the-west/oclc/317879476, WorldCat, Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  29. ↑ http://www.authorsden.com/categories/book_top.asp?catid=25&id=32993, AuthorsDen, Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  30. ↑ “Montana Book Award Honors 5 Authors”, Billings Gazette, March 6, 2010, Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  31. ↑ “High Plains Book Award/Previous Winners” Archived 2016-03-14 at the Wayback Machine , Parmly Billings Library, Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  32. ↑ “Craig Lancaster”, Billings Gazette, Billings, Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  33. ↑ “Lancaster Novel a Finalist for Utah Book Award”, Billings Gazette, Billings, July 31, 2011, Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  34. ↑ “High Plains Book Awards Announces Finalists”, Billings Gazette, May 24, 2012, Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  35. ↑ “2012 High Plains Book Awards Finalists”, Billings Gazette, October 14, 2012, Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  36. ↑ "2016 High Plains Book Awards Finalists", Billings Public Library, High Plains Book Award. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
  37. ↑ International Book Awards 2017 Award Announcement
  38. ↑ 2022 American Fiction Awards
  39. ↑ Previous High Plains Book Award Winners
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