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.Crisp, David."Edward Adrift" , The Billings Outpost, Billings, June 15, 2013. Retrieved on November 6, 2013.Moore, David, and Simon, Lisa., Reflections West, Year 2, Episode 35, Retrieved on November 6, 2013. 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.Ames, Larry.“On the Move: Long Road leads to Top Job at Mercury News”, The Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Retrieved on November 6, 2013.Ens, Kaitlin.“Craig Lancaster to Read at Dances with Words” , UMW News, Retrieved on November 6, 2013. The author, a two-time High Plains Book Awards winner, was lauded as "one of Montana's most important writers."Biography, Craig Lancaster, Retrieved on November 6, 2013.
Lancaster's works are set against the backdrop of the contemporary American West, specifically Montana, where he lives and writes. His prose has been described as deeply emotional and deceptively direct, centering on intense characters who navigate obstacles and relationships in ways that are simultaneously humorous and poignant.Evison, Jonathan.“When We Fell In Love--Craig Lancaster” , Three Guys One Book (3G1B), February 3, 2001, Retrieved on November 6, 2013.Miller, Mark.“Reading Hemingway in Yellowstone”, M. Mark Miller--News, Views, & Stories, March 1, 2011, Retrieved on November 6, 2013. His literary influences include Hemingway, Steinbeck, Stegner, and Doig.“Craig Lancaster”, Goodreads, Retrieved on November 6, 2013.
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.“Craig Lancaster”, LibraryThing, Retrieved on 6 November 2013. After his parents divorced in the early 1970s, his mother remarried and moved Craig to suburban Fort Worth, Texas.
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.Sandifer, Linda. “Author Interview: Craig Lancaster", Writing the West, February 17, 2011, Retrieved on 6 November 2013.“Craig Lancaster” , WritersNet, Retrieved on November 6, 2013. 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. Lancaster describes his early memories of Montana as "vast, beautiful, [and] overwhelming," and knew that he "wanted to be a part of it."
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. In 2006, Lancaster moved to Montana, where he married and subsequently divorced in 2015. Lancaster married fellow novelist Elisa Lorello in 2016.Lorello, Elisa."It's Not About the Ring", Elisa Lorello, Author and Writing Coach Blog. Retrieved June 21, 2016. 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.“Craig Lancaster, Author of Edward Adrift”, The Write Question, KUFM, Retrieved 6 November 2013. He also serves as design director of Montana Quarterly, in addition to being a frequent contributor.
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.”, Billings Gazette, October 22, 2023. Retrieved on November 27, 2023.
Major works
Novels 600 Hours of Edward (Riverbend Publishing, 2009) The Summer Son (Lake Union Publishing, 2011) Edward Adrift (Lake Union Publishing, 2013) The Fallow Season of Hugo Hunter (Lake Union Publishing, 2014) This Is What I Want (Lake Union Publishing, 2015)"The Write Question-Craig Lancaster", Retrieved June 21, 2016. Edward Unspooled (Missouri Breaks Press, 2016) Julep Street (Missouri Breaks Press, 2017), Last Best News, May 15, 2017. Retrieved on November 27, 2023. You, Me, & Mr. Blue Sky, co-author with Elisa Lorello (Lancarello Enterprises, 2019) And It Will Be a Beautiful Life (2021, The Story Plant), Billings Gazette, October 3, 2022. Retrieved on November 27, 2023.
Short stories Quantum Physics and The Art of Departure (Missouri Breaks Press, 2011), republished in 2016 as The Art of Departure
Nonfiction Past-Due Pastorals: Memories and Observations of a Mind Adrift in the West (2009)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.http://www.authorsden.com/categories/book_top.asp?catid=25&id=32993, AuthorsDen, Retrieved November 6, 2013.
Plays Straight On To Stardust (world premiere in 2023)
Awards and recognition 2009 Montana Honor Book, 600 Hours of Edward“Montana Book Award Honors 5 Authors”, Billings Gazette, March 6, 2010, Retrieved November 6, 2013. 2010 High Plains Book Awards "Best First Book," 600 Hours of Edward“High Plains Book Award/Previous Winners” , Parmly Billings Library, Retrieved November 6, 2013.“Craig Lancaster”, Billings Gazette, Billings, Retrieved November 6, 2013. 2010 Utah Book Award Finalist, The Summer Son“Lancaster Novel a Finalist for Utah Book Award”, Billings Gazette, Billings, July 31, 2011, Retrieved November 6, 2013. 2012 Independent Publishers Book Award, Gold Medal, "Best Regional Fiction," Quantum Physics and The Art of Departure“High Plains Book Awards Announces Finalists”, Billings Gazette, May 24, 2012, Retrieved November 6, 2013. 2012 High Plains Book Awards Finalist, Quantum Physics and The Art of Departure“2012 High Plains Book Awards Finalists”, Billings Gazette, October 14, 2012, Retrieved November 6, 2013. 2014 Kindle First Selection, The Fallow Season of Hugo Hunter 2016 High Plains Book Award Fiction Finalist, This Is What I Want"2016 High Plains Book Awards Finalists", Billings Public Library, High Plains Book Award. Retrieved June 21, 2016. 2017 International Book Awards Finalist, Edward UnspooledInternational Book Awards 2017 Award Announcement 2022 American Fiction Awards Winner, "Literary Fiction," And It Will Be a Beautiful Life2022 American Fiction Awards 2022 2022 High Plains Book Awards Winner, "Fiction," And It Will Be a Beautiful LifePrevious High Plains Book Award Winners
References
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