Welcome to the website of William Kotzwinkle.
Kotzwinkle has sold over ten million books. Two-time winner of National Magazine Award for Fiction, he came to prominence with his cult classic The Fan Man. His novel Doctor Rat won the World Fantasy Award, and his children’s series Walter the Farting Dog sold two million copies. Movie credits include Book of Love and Nightmare On Elm Street 4. He also wrote the narration for Michael Jackson’s E. T. record, which won a special children’s Grammy.
His books have been praised by such diverse luminaries as T. C. Boyle, Ian McEwan, Stephen King, Terry Pratchett, Joanna Lumley, Kurt Vonnegut, and Ram Dass.
He divides his time between rural Arizona and the coast of Maine.
WHAT CRITICS ARE SAYING
“A major American writer.”
“The gifted bard, the natural storyteller.”
“His work continues to be distinguished by its originality, wit and daring.”
“A truly imaginative impresario.”
“A fine craftsman.”
“Funny, imaginative, irreverent, and tuned to today.”
“A brilliant writer, a magician with words.”
“Immensely enchanting. O’Henry would surely approve.”
“One of the few American writers in complete control of his materials, and his materials seem to come from somewhere deep down.”
“A first-rate fabulist. ‘Come,’ you hear him saying, ‘and I’ll tell you a story.’”
“A modern Zen master of the literary world.”
“A glittering Pied Piper… a brilliantly inspired writing virtuoso.”
“A minstrel of the written word, a sorcerer of language.”
“Kotzwinkle’s good is marvelous compared to most writers’ best.”
“Kotzwinkle is the conjurer... a heckuva writer.”
“A sorcerer.”
“A depth of emotion and intensity of feeling seldom seen in American writers today.”
“Terrific novels.”
“Madcap, funny, and magical all at the same time.”
“Kotzwinkle has both a macabre power of invention and a countervailing gift of social comedy.”
“Top-level entertainment.”
“Our Boccaccio – there isn’t anyone funnier, smarter, or more inventive.”
“The most sparkling American writer alive.”
“A joy to read.”