Famous Oklahoma authors

While you’re at the library, check out books by some well-known Oklahoma City authors, including:

• Ralph Ellison, author of the 1953 National Book Award winner “Invisible Man” and Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree (1969), grew up in Oklahoma City. You can see a sculpture of him at the Oklahoma City library that bears his name or see a portrait of him at the Oklahoma State Capitol.  Read more by checking out some of the books by him and about him from the Metropolitan Library System. Or learn even more about this distinguished author who was born in 1914 (or maybe 1913, depending on the source you use) online at these sites:
• Library of Congress
• Interview with The Paris Review (Spring 1955)
• PBS’ American Masters
• Journal Record article on Ralph Ellison Foundation
  
  
• Award-winning mystery writer Carolyn Hart grew up in Oklahoma City and has written 56 books, according to her website, http://www.carolynhart.com.  The latest book in her popular Death on Demand Mysteries series, “Don’t Go Home,” was released in May.
  
  
• Oklahoma City native and resident Lou Berney has written three critically-acclaimed, award-winning novels and his latest The Long and Faraway Gone, is mystery based in Oklahoma City. The novel was recently nominated by the Mystery Writers of America as a “Best Paperback Novel”. It has also been featured on the Today’s Show as the perfect summer read and an Amazon Best Book.
  
  
• Oklahoma City native Gena Showalter, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, writes young adult romance novels often featuring paranormal creatures. The latest in her White Rabbit Chronicles, “A Mad Zombie Party,” was released in late 2015.
  
  
• Chef Rick Bayless grew up in Oklahoma City (his family’s business was the barbecue restaurant called Hickory House) and now operates Frontera Grill in Chicago. He has written several cookbooks featuring the Mexican cuisine for which he is known. His brother, Skip Bayless, is a sportswriter and columnist and a television commentator for ESPN’s “First Take.”