Glenn Taylor
MFA, Texas State University
MA, Ohio University
Office: Colson Hall G13
Tel: (304) 293-4547
Specializations:
Fiction
20th Century American writing, particularly from Appalachia
Books:
The Ballad of Trenchmouth Taggart
The Marrowbone Marble Company
Reviews:
Praise for Trenchmouth:
“Happily, The Ballad of Trenchmouth Taggart introduces a writer who is not in the least afraid of tradition, embracing an ancient and noble form and, like all fine artists, reinventing it while he is at it.” —Patrick McCabe, The Guardian
“I was hooked immediately by the narrative voice, which I would describe as utterly kickass, take-no-prisoners in tone. The combination of hyperbole and hilarity throughout is what I would call High Hillbilly in the purest form.” —Chuck Kinder
“Glenn Taylor has cut to the bone and written an elegant story that tells a truth about his people and place, a kind of truth occasionally found—when we’re lucky—in a novel.” —Clyde Edgerton
Praise for Marrowbone:“Unfolds like old-time prophecy, full of fire and portent . . .” —Chicago Tribune
“Taylor’s socially astute and fast-moving sophmore novel is earthy, authentic, and a testament to his literary talent.” —Publishers Weekly
“ . . . speaks unforgettably from a half century ago to issues still unresolved in American life. Taylor has composed a hymn to the human heart.” —Jayne Anne Phillips
“This novel gives us all we want in fiction: a compelling story, beautiful writing, an impeccable rendering of time and place, and fully realized characters.” —Ron Rash
Publications:
Mid-American Review
Chattahoochee Review
Gulf Coast
Meridian
Madison Review
Connecticut Review
Awards:
Finalist, 2009 National Book Critics Circle Award
2008 Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Voices selection
Links:
Read Seattle Pi’s interview with Glenn.
Read Christian Science Monitor’s Review of The Marrowbone Marble Company
Visit Glenn Taylor’s Author Page.
Read The Guardian’s Review of The Ballad of Trenchmouth Taggart
Admires:
Louise McNeill, Joseph Mitchell, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Dot Jackson, Jim Comstock, Jerome Washington, Rick Bragg, Zora Neale Hurston, Tom Franklin, Gil Adamson, Studs Terkel, Lucille Clifton, Charles Portis, Dagoberto Gilb, Jerome Washington, Ben Robertson, Ron Rash, Frank X Walker
On a Personal Note:
I grew up in Huntington, WV, and I’ve since lived in Ohio, Austin Texas, and Chicago. I now reside in Morgantown with my wife Margaret and our sons Reece, Thomas, and Eli. We like to bike, hike, watch movies, eat good food, and read good books.
Photograph by Margaret Hanshaw Taylor