Clyde Edgerton Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Shannon Ravenel Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

An American writer and academic, the author Clyde Edgerton is well known for not only creating a number of novels, but he’s also written many essays too. Teach creative fiction he is highly skilled, with a clear idea of what it is that he is doing, knowing exactly how to craft a story, right down to the last detail. Writing a memoir too, he draws heavily from his own life and experiences, using it to fuel his work, giving it a sense of immediacy and realism in the process.

Early and Personal Life

Born and raised near Durham, North Carolina, in America, the future author Clyde Edgerton grew up in the neighborhood of Bethesda. It was this upbringing that would inform much of his work, with a lot of it being written in the southern dialect that was prevalent there. Taking in experiences from the world around him, he would use this to inspire his writing, as he eagerly harnessed his passion for both reading and writing over the years to come.

Attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, after enrolling in 1962, Edgerton eventually went on to graduate with a major in English. He would also become a student within the Air Force too, as he enrolled in the Air Force ROTC program, along with later gaining a Master’s Degree in English. This was later followed up with a doctorate, all of which lead to him writing his own short-stories, allowing him to become a writer himself full-time.

Working as a creative writing professor too, he has more than an extensive background in the art and craft of writing. This has enabled him to pursue his own voice and ultimately create his own unique style and tone over the many years of his writing career. Concentrating on building it up and developing it, he has managed to make it stand out from the rest, whilst also establishing himself as a warm and funny voice.

Still writing to this very day, he continues to put out work at a regular and consistent pace, maintaining a strong presence both online and off. Currently working as a professor in the University of North Carolina Wilmington, he works both as a tutor and as a writer full-time. With a lot more to come yet his career continues to grow from strength-to-strength, with him not showing signs of stopping any time soon.

Writing Career

It would be in 1985 that he would bring out his first book, with the stand-alone title ‘Raney’, which mark him out as one to watch on the literary scene. This would be a romance novel, but with a twist in that it would bring his uniquely wry observations to the genre, essentially offering a slice-of-life in the process. The book would also work as a template for titles to follow, as it managed to capture the essence of small town life too.

Writing with a warm sense of wit and good humor, he would put his own personality into his work, something which he would continue throughout his career. With later books such as ‘The Bible Salesman’ he’d offer a fun perspective of middle America, taking a look at all the unique lives and people that inhabit it. This would also allow him to become a much sought after figure within the field, as many would see him as the main writer writing on his particular subject matter.

In time his novels were also made into films, with ‘Raney’, ‘Walking Across Egypt’ and ‘Killer Diller’ all making it to the silver-screen. Not only that, but he has also had stage-adaptations of his work created too, as many of his short stories having been published in major publications. All this has lead to him becoming one of the best reviewed authors currently working within his field, with many other writers singing his praises.

Working as a professional musician as well, he has a highly versatile set of creative skills, having performed with a number of other musicians too. This has seen him as one of the most prolific and versatile authors currently working within the industry to date. There’s plenty more titles planned on the horizon too, as he continues to expand upon his legacy, building on it for many years to come.

Raney

Marking the debut for Clyde Edgerton as an author of contemporary fiction, this was first brought out in 1985 on the 2nd of January. Working as a stand-alone title it would help establish him as a definite writer to watch, as well as being a must for any fans of the author. Released through the ‘Ballantine Books’ publishing label, it manages to create a strong style that is unsurpassed by many others in the field.

Residing in a small-town, Raney is a North Carolina Free Will Baptist living a somewhat simple and modest life. Titled and well-off she never wants for anything, that is until she is married to Charles, a liberal Methodist hailing all the way from Atlanta. Following their marriage it sees them overcome their differences in a witty and humorous style, as they come together despite everything else. Will they live happily ever after? How will their differences affect them both? What will become of Raney?

The Bible Salesman

Brought out through the ‘Little, Brown and Company’ publishing imprint this time, this would be a later work from Edgerton as an author of fiction. Coming out in 2008 this was first released on the 11th of August that year, as it showed a clear development from that of his earlier efforts. Strong and confident it works as a strand-alone story that works as somewhat of a period-piece set within post second world war America.

After stealing 1600 aviator sunglasses along with two chain saws from the army during the war, Preston Clearwater has remained a criminal ever since. Working as a member of a car theft ring he then comes into contact with nineteen-year-old Henry Dampier, a somewhat innocent hitch-hiking bible salesman. Seeing an opportunity Preston manages to convince Henry that he is an FBI agent working undercover, as he enlists Henry as an associate to assist him. Will he find out, though? How long will they both be on the run? What will become of the bible salesman?