Clyde Edgerton is an accomplished American writer and academic, who has made a significant impact in the literary world with his numerous novels and essays. He is highly regarded for his expertise in teaching creative fiction, demonstrating a clear understanding of the craft and the ability to meticulously shape a story. Edgerton's writing is characterized by its immediacy and realism, as he often draws from his own life and experiences to create memorable and engaging characters.
Edgerton is widely considered one of the foremost novelists working in the Southern tradition today, often being compared to literary giants such as Eudora Welty and Flannery O'Connor. His work is deeply rooted in family, exploring the complexities and nuances of family life through an endearing and eccentric cast of characters. Readers have often expressed a desire to spend time with Edgerton's characters, such is their charm and likability.
Raised in the small towns of the North Carolina Piedmont, Edgerton's writing is heavily influenced by the storytelling traditions of the rural south. Growing up without the distractions of big-city life and the communications revolution of the late twentieth century, many rural Americans stayed in close touch with their relatives, often sharing stories about family members for entertainment. This rich storytelling heritage is evident in Edgerton's work, which is marked by its warmth, humanity, and deep affection for the people and places that have shaped his life and writing.
Throughout his career, Edgerton has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to literature. These include a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Lyndhurst Prize, Honorary Doctorates from UNC-Asheville and St. Andrews Presbyterian College, membership in the Fellowship of Southern Writers, the North Carolina Award for Literature, and five notable book awards from the New York Times. He currently resides in Wilmington, NC, with his wife, Kristina, and their children, where he continues to write and teach creative writing at UNC Wilmington.