Shannon Burke (writer)

Shannon Burke (born September 11, 1966) is an American novelist and screenwriter.

Biography

Burke was born in Wilmette, Illinois and studied at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. After graduating he became a paramedic for the New York City Fire Department. Burke used these experiences in his novels Safelight (2004) and Black Flies (2008).[1][2] Through 2015, Burke has published three novels: Safelight (2004), Black Flies (2008) and Into the Savage Country (2015). He also has been involved in various film and television projects, including work on the script for the film Syriana (2005).[3][4], and he is the co-creator and executive producer of the Netflix series Outer Banks.[5]

Burke lives in Knoxville, Tennessee with his two sons.[6][7][8]

Novels
  • Safelight (2004) Random House, ISBN 978-0812971743
  • Black Flies (2008) Soft Skull Press, ISBN 978-1593761912
  • Into the Savage Country (2015) Pantheon, ISBN 978-0307908926
  • The Brother Years (2020) Pantheon, ISBN 1524748641

Critical reception
  • Safelight, Burke's debut novel, is a love story involving a fencer with HIV and a paramedic who interacts with the world through photographs of his patients. Burke stated that he believed the novel was about “personal redemption.”[1] The book was well received,[9] with the New York Times' Julia Livshin calling the novel “a minimalist tour de force.”[10] Daniel Menaker, ex-editor and chief of Random House, called Safelight one of "the most under-rated novels I've edited."[11]
  • Burke's second novel, Black Flies is about the trials and moral weathering of a paramedic. Burke himself was a paramedic in New York and used his experiences from that job for the novel.[12] The book was noted for its realistic depiction of paramedics.[13][14] In the New York Times, Liesl Schillinger called the novel “searing and morally resonant."[12] Black Flies was a New York Times Notable book,[15] was on the short list for numerous prizes,[16][17][18] and won France's Prix de Mystere de la critique.[19]
  • Into the Savage Country, Burke's third novel, a historical adventure, was a departure in setting and tone from his previous two novels. In a post publication interview, Burke said he wanted to write an adventure novel like "Kidnapped" or "White Fang."[20] The novel was memorable for its historical depiction of trappers in the 1820s[21] and was generally well-received. It was a finalist for the Reading the West Book Award.[22]
  • The Brother Years is a coming of age novel, a roman a clef, based on Burke's childhood in suburban Chicago. It was published in August of 2020.

Awards

References
  1. Ramsey, Nancy, "On the Way to the Hospital a Novel is Born", New York Times, 12/2/2004
  2. Simon, Scott, "Novel 'Safelight' Tells Paramedic's Story", NPR, October 9, 2004
  3. IndieWire Lattanzio, Ryan, In the Works: Jason Clarke and Omar Sy Set to Star in ‘Syriana’ Writer/Director Stephen Gaghan’s ‘Candy Store’, April 4, 2013
  4. Penguin Random House - Shannon Burke Author Page
  5. Petski, Denise (May 3, 2019). "'Outer Banks': Charles Esten, Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline Among 8 Cast In Netflix YA Drama Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  6. Penguin/Random House - Author Page
  7. Callaghan, Carrie "An Interview with Shannon Burke," Washington Independent Review of Books, Oct 15, 2015
  8. Shannon Burke Website
  9. Hood, Allison, Review of Safelight, San Francisco Chronicle, September 5, 2004
  10. Livshin, Julia, "The Allure of the Unknown," Safelight, New York Times, 10/10/2004
  11. Menaker, Daniel "The Most Underrated Novels I've Edited," The Daily Beast, November 19. 2013
  12. Schillinger, Liesl, "Blood and Guts, Sunday Book Review, New York Times, May 25, 2008
  13. Allen, Paul Goat, "A Roundup of Recent Crime Novels," Chicago Tribune, June 21, 2008
  14. O'Connell, John, Review of "Black Flies, The Guardian, August 21, 2009
  15. New York Times Notable Book - 2008
  16. 2008 Believer Book Award Short List
  17. Les grands Prix de Littérature Policière 2014, Le Monde, 11/16/15
  18. Prix SCNF du Polar - Shortlist - 2017
  19. Nicolas Mathieu Prix Mystère de la Critique 2015, Le Monde, 2/10/2015
  20. McNamee, Greg, An Interview with Shannon Burke, Kirkus, February 15, 2015
  21. Wiebe, Bruce, "Into the Savage Country" - Journey to a Gone World, Books and Culture, May 2015
  22. Reading the West Book Award - Short List - 2015
  23. Book Awards, International Impac Dublin Literary Award Longlist
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