Career
His other notable works include a short story collection as well as numerous articles and essays produced during his career as a newspaper writer and editors The author was lauded as “one of Montana’s most important writers.” Lancaster’s works are set against the backdrop of the contemporary American West, specifically Montana, where he lives and writes. His prose has been described as deeply emotionally evocative, centering on intense characters who navigate obstacles and relationships in ways that are simultaneously humorous and poignant.
His literary influences include Hemingway, Steinbeck, Stegner, and Doig.
Craig Lancaster was born in Lakewood, Washington, on February 9, 1970. He was adopted by a Wyoming couple who met in Billings, Montana, where he would eventually settle, marry, and launch his career as a novelist.
His step-father, a longtime sportswriter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, had a tremendous impact on Lancaster’s formative years by encouraging his early interest in writing. Lancaster’s fascination with the “western identity” was also rooted in his childhood, as he traveled extensively during summer vacations to visit his father, who followed work in western oil fields.
Lancaster describes his early memories of Montana as “vast, beautiful, overwhelming,” and knew that he “wanted to be a part of lieutenant” Lancaster attended the University of Texas at Arlington, and subsequently made his foray into “The West” of his early imagination via a series of journalistic assignments that led him from Texas to Alaska, Kentucky, Ohio, California, Washington, and eventually, Montana.
In 2006, Lancaster moved to Montana and would later marry. His work as a writer and editor has appeared in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the San Jose Mercury News, The Billings Gazette, Magic City Magazine. He also serves as design director of Montana Quarterly, in addition to being a frequent contributor.
2009 Montana Honor Book, 600 Hours of Edward.
