Lou Berney is an acclaimed American author, best known for his crime fiction novels. He has garnered significant recognition in the genre, with awards such as the Edgar, Anthony, Macavity, Barry, and Oklahoma Book awards to his name. Berney's work has been praised for its unique blend of thrilling plots and deep emotional resonance.
In addition to his success in crime fiction, Berney has also ventured into screenwriting, penning scripts for various studios and networks, including Warner Bros., Paramount, Focus Features, ABC, and Fox. However, only one of his movie scripts, Angels Sing, has been produced to date. Berney also has experience in writing pilots for television. Despite these ventures, his primary focus and passion remain in fiction writing, particularly in the crime genre.
Berney is currently a faculty member in the Red Earth MFA program at Oklahoma City University. His journey to this point has been varied, with a diverse range of experiences. From the age of twelve to nineteen, he was fired from approximately nine jobs, including roles as a grill cook, photo darkroom attendant, junior high summer league pitching coach, apartment complex maintenance worker, and newspaper delivery boy. Since then, he has not been fired from a single job, a testament to his dedication and commitment to his craft.
Lou Berney is the author of several critically acclaimed novels, including Dark Ride, November Road, The Long and Faraway Gone, Whiplash River, and Gutshot Straight. His work has been published in esteemed outlets such as The New Yorker, Ploughshares, the New England Review, and the Pushcart Prize anthology. Berney's writing style is characterized by its depth, complexity, and emotional intensity, making him a standout figure in contemporary crime fiction.