Underrated

Following up on last year's fine work, Jeff (Syntax of Things) and TJ (Creekside Review) have compiled the 2006 Underrated Writers Project, asking over 20 bloggers to nominate up to five authors that they felt were not getting the attention that they deserved.  It's interesting to see the varying levels of success that the 66 authors listed have attained, ranging from a poet with some works published in literary journals, to authors who've published numerous titles, won awards, and received a fair amount of attention be it in print or online.  And that's where Jeff and TJ allow the individuals doing the nominating to help mold this project, as each of us (yes, I was a nominator) decided what we felt led to an author being considered underrated. 

Many EWN members, and folks whose books I've either had the pleasure of reading, or know they're included in my TBR stack (or in the cases of some, like Marc Estrin, both) are included, such as:

Chris Bachelder (2 books in TBR), Henry Baum (EWN), Elizabeth Crane (EWN, read both books, interviewed), Elizabeth Ellen (EWN, in 2006 HGE, name read on this site occasionally), Steve Erickson (EWN, LJ Editor E-Panel, have all of his works in TBR), Marc Estrin (EWN, read 1, have other 2, interviewed), Brian Evenson (read 1, have 2 others in TBR), Ed Falco (EWN, have read all but 1,interviewed), Jeffrey Ford (read 1, have 1 other in TBR), Kirby Gann (EWN, read 1, interviewed), Richard Grayson (EWN, have most of his in TBR), Laird Hunt (EWN, in 2006 HGE, read 1, have other 2 in TBR), Christina Kallery (EWN, in 2006 HGE), Peter Markus (EWN, in 2006 HGE, read all 3 works), Michael Martone (EWN, read all works, interview), Jeff Parker (EWN, have read numerous short works in journals, looking forward to novel Ovenman this spring), Richard Powers (read 1, have 6 in TBR), Sam Savage (read his book), Dana Spiotta (read 1), and Keith Taylor (EWN, read 1, have 1 in TBR).

So, wander on over to Jeff's site and read up on these and all of the other great authors included.  it's obvious to me that I need to start digging through my TBR Pile!

Comments

[kyle]

I hereby nominate Philip F. Deaver, he of Silent Retreats fame. He's sitting on a couple of the best unreleased story collections in America, plus a novel.

[Dan Wickett]

Mr. Deaver was indeed one of the 2005 Underrated Writers in the debut of the Project, and as his nominator last year, I concur with Mr. Minor's comments.