Florida Authors
"You can't swing a dead cat in Florida without hitting a mystery writer."
This observation—made by a selfsame author who shall remain unnamed—while accurately portraying the state's overrepresentation in the teeming mystery/suspense aisles, fails to address the broad range of subjects and styles tackled by those authors who call the Sunshine State home.
The Florida literary scene has more than just mysteries to offer. From the historical fiction of Jeff Shaara and Patrick Smith to the satire of Dave Barry and Carl Hiaasen to the literature of Edwidge Dandicat and Padgett Powell to the award-winning prose of Les Standiford and Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Florida's writers provide a readers' cornucopia of choices.
Undeniably, the roots of the prevalent "Florida School of Mystery" must be traced to the mighty John D. MacDonald and his Travis McGee series. His pioneering, hard-boiled fiction laid bare a dysfunctional post-war, booming Florida filled with greedy developers, sun burnt retirees, optimistic transients, and the less obvious criminality latent in the meager substrate of the state. Today's flock of mystery writers all acknowledge MacDonald's influence in their personal slants on this skewed state.
While being far from comprehensive, this list represents a fair and ever-evolving sampling of writers who have either personal or professional connections to this sunshiney, dangly bit of southern peninsula. It should be noted that while some of these writers do not set their fiction in Florida, they are included because of their residence, their educational background, or their formative occupational experience, which all but insure their consistent attendance at this state's many venues, writers' conferences and seminars, and book fairs.
For a more inclusive listing of Florida authors, refer to:
http://floridaauthors.wetpaint.com/
This observation—made by a selfsame author who shall remain unnamed—while accurately portraying the state's overrepresentation in the teeming mystery/suspense aisles, fails to address the broad range of subjects and styles tackled by those authors who call the Sunshine State home.
Undeniably, the roots of the prevalent "Florida School of Mystery" must be traced to the mighty John D. MacDonald and his Travis McGee series. His pioneering, hard-boiled fiction laid bare a dysfunctional post-war, booming Florida filled with greedy developers, sun burnt retirees, optimistic transients, and the less obvious criminality latent in the meager substrate of the state. Today's flock of mystery writers all acknowledge MacDonald's influence in their personal slants on this skewed state.
While being far from comprehensive, this list represents a fair and ever-evolving sampling of writers who have either personal or professional connections to this sunshiney, dangly bit of southern peninsula. It should be noted that while some of these writers do not set their fiction in Florida, they are included because of their residence, their educational background, or their formative occupational experience, which all but insure their consistent attendance at this state's many venues, writers' conferences and seminars, and book fairs.
For a more inclusive listing of Florida authors, refer to:
http://floridaauthors.wetpaint.com/
