Craig Johnson is a highly acclaimed American novelist, best known for his series of mystery novels featuring Sheriff Walt Longmire. Born in Huntington, West Virginia in 1961, he now resides in a small hamlet near Sheridan, Wyoming named Ucross, which has a population of only 25. Growing up, Johnson had a peripatetic childhood, living in Japan, India, and the United States, as his father was a banker and diplomat. This exposure to diverse cultures and landscapes has significantly influenced his writing, particularly in the depiction of the unique setting and characters in his novels.
Johnson's Walt Longmire series has gained considerable success and critical acclaim. His books have won several awards, including The Dark Horse being named one of the best books of 2009 by Publisher's Weekly, Death Without Company winning the Book of the Year award from the Wyoming Historical Association, and Another Man's Moccasins winning the Western Writer's of America Spur Award for the best novel in 2008 and the Mountains and Plains fiction book of the year award. The Cold Dish and The Dark Horse were both Dilys Award finalists, and Death Without Company was named the Wyoming Historical Association's Book of the Year. Additionally, Another Man's Moccasins received the Western Writers of America Spur Award for best novel of 2008 as well as the Mountains and Plains award for fiction book of the year.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Johnson worked in various professions, including as a police officer, an educator, a cowboy, and a longshoreman. These diverse experiences have provided him with a wealth of knowledge and insights, which he has incorporated into his writing, making his characters and stories more authentic and engaging. Johnson's work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Tony Hillerman Award for "Old Indian Trick," the Western Writers of America Spur Award for fiction, the Mountains and Plains Booksellers Award for fiction, the Nouvel Observateur Prix du Roman Noir, and the Prix SNCF du Polar.
In addition to his written work, Johnson is also the author of a novella, Spirit of Steamboat, which was the first One Book Wyoming selection. He is also the creator of the hit Netflix original series Longmire, based on his novel series, which has further increased his popularity and influence in the mystery and crime fiction genre. Johnson continues to reside in Ucross, Wyoming, where he finds inspiration for his writing in the breathtaking landscapes and the close-knit community.