1. T. C. Boyle

2. Info  Born December 2, 1948 in Peekskill, New York.  This small town is often fictionalized in his work as Peterskill.  Originally wanted to be a music major.  Began reading outside of class and became a major of English and history.

3. Info Continued  Took a creative writing course and realized this was something that he “could do”.  Began teaching after college to avoid being drafted into Vietnam.  Published a short story in North American Review and applied to the Iowa Writer’s Workshop. Here he studied with John Irving and John Cheever.  Has earned both a MFA and a Ph.D.  Works every day from 9am to 1pm.

4. Quotes  "Art bailed me out... it sounds corny but there's a power in it that I would never give up. There's a light that fills you when you're writing; there's a magic.”  "Good literature is a living, brilliant, great thing that speaks to you on an individual and personal level.”  “Stories are the foundation and backbone of my life.”

5. Written Works  Descent of a Man  Water Music  The Tortilla Curtain  The Road to Wellville  The Human Fly and Other Stories  Talk Talk  Boyle has won several O. Henry Awards as well as other distinguished literary awards.