Yarbrough: A Literary Journey Through Southern Tradition and Beyond
Rooted in the rich cultural landscape of the American South, Yarbrough has established himself as a significant voice in contemporary literature. Born in Indianola, Mississippi, his writing is deeply informed by the history and social mores of his home region, drawing stylistic and thematic parallels to legendary authors such as William Faulkner, Flannery O'Connor, and Willie Morris.
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Academic Foundation and Teaching Career
Yarbrough's literary expertise is built upon a rigorous academic background. He earned both his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) in English from the University of Mississippi, later specializing in the craft of storytelling with a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in creative writing from the University of Arkansas.
Beyond his own writing, Yarbrough has dedicated much of his career to mentoring future writers. After serving as a professor of creative writing for many years at California State University, Fresno, he currently teaches in the Department of Writing, Literature and Publishing at Emerson College in Boston.
Major Literary Works
Yarbrough's bibliography spans several decades, moving from short story collections to expansive novels. His early career was marked by collections such as Family Men (1990), Mississippi History (1994), and Veneer (1998).
Novels and Nonfiction
His transition into novel writing began with The Oxygen Man (1999), followed by a series of acclaimed works including Visible Spirits (2001), Prisoners of War (2004), The End of California (2006), and Safe From The Neighbors (2010). In 2013, he expanded his geographic scope with The Realm of Last Chances, his first novel set in New England.
In addition to fiction, Yarbrough explored the intersection of life and literature in his 2017 nonfiction work, Bookmarked: Larry McMurtry's The Last Picture Show. This book examines his own journey toward adulthood and authorship through the lens of the protagonist in McMurtry's novel. His most recent novel, The Unmade World, was published by Unbridled Books in 2018.
Key Facts
- Origin: Born in Indianola, Mississippi.
- Education: B.A. and M.A. from University of Mississippi; M.F.A. from University of Arkansas.
- Current Role: Professor at Emerson College, Boston.
- Notable Awards: Massachusetts Book Award in Fiction (2019) and Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters Award in Fiction (2014, 2000).
- Global Reach: Works translated into Polish, Japanese, and Dutch.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Yarbrough has received numerous accolades for his contribution to letters. His novel Prisoners of War was a finalist for the prestigious 2005 PEN/Faulkner award, and his short story "The Rest of Her Life" was featured in The Best American Short Stories 1999.
Other significant honors include the Richard Wright Award for Literary Excellence (2010), the California Book Award, and the Mississippi Authors Award.
| Year | Work | Type | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | The Oxygen Man | Novel | First Novel |
| 2004 | Prisoners of War | Novel | PEN/Faulkner Finalist (2005) |
| 2013 | The Realm of Last Chances | Novel | MIAL Award in Fiction (2014) |
| 2017 | Bookmarked | Nonfiction | Analysis of Larry McMurtry's work |
| 2018 | The Unmade World | Novel | Massachusetts Book Award (2019) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Yarbrough receive his creative writing degree?
Yarbrough earned his Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in creative writing from the University of Arkansas.
Which of his novels was the first to be set outside the South?
The Realm of Last Chances, published in 2013, was his first novel set in New England.
What is the subject of the nonfiction book "Bookmarked"?
The book describes Yarbrough's personal journey to adulthood and his path to becoming an author, relating these experiences to the protagonist of Larry McMurtry's The Last Picture Show.
Has Yarbrough's work been published internationally?
Yes, his work has been published in the United Kingdom and translated into Dutch, Japanese, and Polish.
Where does Yarbrough currently teach?
He is currently a professor in the Department of Writing, Literature and Publishing at Emerson College in Boston.