All these guys wrote one great book and then disappeared. I bought them within the first year they came out and have been patiently waiting for follow ups from these talented writers. Here they are in order of publication:
Camaro City by Alan Sternberg (stories). Several of these stories appeared in the New Yorker in the 90s and were absolutely phenomenal. I bought the collection as soon as it came out in 1994. Haven’t heard from this writer since and the book appears to be out of print.
The Aardvark Is Ready For War by James W. Blinn. Here is the Gulf War novel you have never heard of. Fantastic. I bought it in 1997 when it came out and somehow lost that copy, so this is a newer edition. I think I had an email correspondence with the author a decade ago. Appears to be out of print.
10th Grade by Joseph Weisberg is a hilarious teenage voice-driven novel. I bought it when it came out in 2003 and again–sadly never heard from this writer again.
Goat by Brad Land. Incredible memoir about abuse in fraternity culture. Came out in 2004. In writing this I remembered he did come out with a novel in 2008 (Pilgrims Upon the Earth–which I have somewhere but can’t find right now…), but as far as I can tell hasn’t come out with anything since.
Man Gone Down by Michael Thomas. Terrific novel. I’d like to think Thomas is working on something new and just taking his time. Came out in 2006.
Have you read any of these? Do you have updates on any of these writers? Any other one-hit wonders you’d recommend?
by otiswestbooks