Another Draft Bites the Dust
A month ago, I finished the third draft of what I’m calling my “teen epic.” Between December 2023 and the…
Kirkus Reviews“Orcutt’s writing style is lighthearted and conversational…[readers] are sure to find him a vibrant character and enjoyable writer.”
The Midwest Book Review“Perpetuating Trouble is an absolutely fascinating and entertaining read from cover to cover…”
IndieReader“Orcutt’s glib use of language and deft ability to switch into multifarious voices and writing styles captures the nuances of time, setting and mentality of each protagonist…making each story unique, engaging and insightful.”
Kirkus Reviews“Welcome to Wellington, New York, where, in this loose novel, readers can eavesdrop on the lives of the uber-rich and those who cater to them.”
Pam Stack, Authors on the Air Global Radio Network“He is so exquisite in his writing that I couldn’t wait to finish….I cannot tell you the joy it gives me to read literature that is so well defined. The prose is exemplary.”
The Portsmouth Review“Very thought-provoking and engaging mystery with deeper implications, all wrapped up in humor and action. Highly entertaining read.”
National Bestselling Author Dave King“Stylishly written—nods to the classics of the detective genre—with great characters and plenty of wit and originality.”
Kate Goldsmith“Like Gustave Flaubert, Orcutt is passionate about finding le mot juste, the right word. Anyone who appreciates the beautiful use of language will enjoy One Hundred Miles from Manhattan, Orcutt’s latest novel.”
IndieReader“Orcutt pays tribute to his literary muses, often mentioning his inspiration through his literate characters.”
Stephen Campbell—Author and Entrepreneur, Host of "The Author Biz"“Chris is an extremely gifted writer…. You’ll see, when you read his books, how the care he takes in writing them translates to the page.”
The Orcutt Weblog
The Nuclear Submarine U.S.S. Bodacious Resurfaces After Six Months of “Deep and Silent”
About five months ago, I bought a countdown clock that sits directly below my computer monitor, and for 157 days…
At the Dawn of a New Age in Art
My friend Jason Scott and I have been friends since 5th grade–that’s over 40 years–and during that time Jason has…
Livin’ the Dream
A couple weeks ago, I finished the second draft of the third episode (or volume) of the epic-length novel I’ve…
The Seventh Year
Chris Orcutt enters the seventh year of work on his epic novel.
One Decision that Changed My Life for the Better
Last weekend, I attended a surprise party for my younger sister’s 50th birthday. The party, hosted by her husband and…
Aloneness
Lately, more than ever, I’ve been thinking about a quote by the late, great playwright Sam Shepard: “Aloneness is a…
F-ck Fifty-one
This morning, to celebrate my birthday and the fact that I’m probably in the best shape of my life since…
The Social Distancing Champion Thrives in the Pandemic
I have a T-shirt with a quote by F. Scott Fitzgerald on it. The quote reads, “You don’t write because…
Hard(ish) Times
Back in March, I wrote a cheeky blog entry about how COVID-19 wouldn’t change my work as a writer a…
The Hat
During the COVID-19 crisis, in addition to writing and revising my magnum opus, I’ve been doing a lot of hiking…
Come What May, the Writing Life Rolls Along
This morning I overheard my wife on a conference call with her coworkers at the college where she works. They…
The Inspiration of New Places and New Spaces for a Novelist
For a novelist, sometimes a minuscule change in routine, place or living situation can produce a massive shift in perspective…
The Post-Social Media Novelist
It’s only been a week since I “deactivated” my personal Facebook account and already I feel like a great weight…
Spark Joy: In Which a Novelist Applies the Ideas of KonMari to His Entire Life
Inspired by my organizing genius wife, I recently watched the program Tidying Up with Japanese organization guru Marie Kondo. In…
Backstory: The Story Behind The Perfect Triple Threat
The idea for The Perfect Triple Threat, a collection of three Dakota Stevens mystery novellas, didn’t come to me all…
Backstory: The Story Behind A Truth Stranger Than Fiction
WARNING: This entry contains spoilers about the novel A Truth Stranger Than Fiction. Continue reading at your own risk! Most…
Chris Orcutt’s Favorite Short Stories
Two weeks ago, I wrote about the backstory of my short story collection The Man, The Myth, The Legend, explaining…
Backstory: The Story Behind Chris Orcutt’s The Man, The Myth, The Legend
Between 2010 and 2011, I wrote over thirty short stories, many of which appeared in The Man, The Myth, The…
On the Virtues of Being Able to Write Anywhere
Compared to other novelists I know or have read about, I’m something of an anomaly: I’m a novelist who can…