Writer
Stephen Harrigan
Notes from Evan Smith
"In the seventies and eighties, Stephen Harrigan was one of our most prolific and best-loved Texas Monthly staff writers, writing at various points about Henry Cisneros, the making of Lonesome Dove, his beloved natural world, and everything in between. Born in Oklahoma City and raised in Abilene and Corpus Christi, 57-year-old Harrigan graduated from the University of Texas in 1971 and not long after began writing ad copy for the University Co-op; he also helped launch and edit a poetry journal called Lucille. His first piece for Texas Monthly, about a flying saucer that supposedly landed in Texas, appeared in our August 1973 issue and was assigned at a time when he was a freelance writer who mowed yards to make a living; note to all aspiring writers: there's hope. While on staff, Harrigan wrote his first two novels, Aransas, in 1980, and Jacob's well, in 1984; both were hailed by the likes of the New York Times and the Washington Post. In 2000, his mammoth novel The Gates of the Alamo was lauded by critics and devoured by readers, and it landed on the New York Times best-seller list. In April 2006, Harrigan's fourth novel, Challenger Park, about a female astronaut wrestling with what might be called mommy track issues, his stores, and having read an advance copy, let me tell you--it's terrific." - Evan Smith, Texas Monthly Talks, Broadcast 4.20.06
