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Welcome to the enchanting world of Southern Illinois literature, where hidden gems of literary brilliance await discovery. Nestled in the heartland of America, Southern Illinois boasts a rich and vibrant literary tradition. It often goes unnoticed amidst the bustling literary scenes of larger cities. Cover Photo of Nature by Haley Hamilton on Unsplash.

Now that I have lived in Southern Illinois for about 15 years, I have begun to claim it and proudly state that this is where I am now from. I want to explore the writers of this area, past and present. This article is a quick ode to the more well-known published writers of the area.

Within the pages of Southern Illinois literature lie hidden treasures. These are crafted by talented writers who have captured the essence and spirit of this unique region. From captivating novels to thought-provoking poetry, these literary works offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of life in Southern Illinois.

Join me on this journey as we explore the world of Southern Illinois literature and uncover its hidden literary gems.

6 Literary Legends of Southern Illinois

1. John Dos Passos:

Born in Chicago but raised in southern Illinois, Dos Passos was a renowned novelist and journalist. He is best known for his works “U.S.A. Trilogy” and “Manhattan Transfer,” which captured the essence of American society in the early 20th century.

Born in Chicago, Dos Passos graduated from Harvard College in 1916. He traveled widely as a young man, visiting Europe and southwest Asia. There, he learned about literature, art, and architecture. During World War I, he was an ambulance driver for the American Volunteer Motor Ambulance Corps in Paris and Italy, before joining the United States Army Medical Corps as a private.

In 1920, his first novel, One Man’s Initiation: 1917, was published. Then, in 1925, his novel Manhattan Transfer became a commercial success. His U.S.A. trilogy consists of The 42nd Parallel (1930), 1919 (1932), and The Big Money (1936). It was ranked by the Modern Library in 1998 as 23rd of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.

2. Gwendolyn Brooks:

A highly acclaimed poet, Gwendolyn Brooks was born in Topeka, Kansas but later lived in Chicago. She taught at various universities in Southern Illinois. She became the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1950 for her collection “Annie Allen.”

Gwendolyn Brooks (1917 – 2000) was an American poet, educator, and civil rights activist based in Chicago. Her first collection, A Street in Bronzeville (1945), was greeted with critical acclaim and a Guggenheim fellowship. Annie Allen (1949) won the Pulitzer Prize in 1950, making her the first Black person to ever claim that honor. Her only novel, Maud Martha, was published in 1953.

3. Donald Ray Pollock:

Although not originally from Southern Illinois, Donald Ray Pollock spent several years living in the region. He is an award-winning author known for his gritty and darkly humorous novels. His works include “The Devil All the Time” and “Knockemstiff.”

He finally picked up the pen at age 50, when he enrolled in the English program at Ohio State University. While there, Doubleday published his debut short story collection, Knockemstiff. The New York Times frequently posted his election dispatches from southern Ohio throughout the 2008 campaign. The Devil All the Time, his first novel, was published in 2011. His work has appeared in various literary journals, including Epoch, Sou’wester, Granta, Third Coast, River Styx, The Journal, Boulevard, Tin House, and PEN America. His newest book, a novel called The Heavenly Table, will be published by Doubleday in July 2016.

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4. Vachel Lindsay:

A visionary poet whose unique performance style brought his verses to life, leaving audiences in awe. Published titles include “Johnny Appleseed,” “The Congo and other Poems.”

Vachel Lindsay became famous in the early 20th century as a traveling bard. His dramatic delivery in public readings helped keep appreciation for poetry as a spoken art alive in the American Midwest. He called these performances the “Higher Vaudeville.” With their strong rhythms rooted in American vernacular, revival meetings, the soapbox, and the works of Edgar Allan Poe and William Blake, poems like “The Santa Fe Trail” and “Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight” became part of an American literary and cultural revival distinct from literary modernism.

5. Daniel Woodrell:

Known for his gritty and atmospheric novels set in the Ozarks, Woodrell’s writing brilliantly captures the essence of Southern Illinois. You can find these novels on Audible: “Give Us a Kiss: A Novel“, “Winter’s Bone: A Novel“, and “Woe to Live On: A Novel.”

Daniel Woodrell (born March 4, 1953) is an American writer of fiction. He has written eight novels, most of them set in the Missouri Ozarks. Woodrell coined the phrase “country noir” to describe his 1996 novel Give Us a Kiss. Reviewers have frequently since used the term to categorize his writing. 

6. Charles Johnson:

A highly acclaimed novelist and essayist, Johnson’s works explore themes of identity, race, and spirituality with profound insight.

Charles Johnson is an innovative writer whose works address issues of culture and racial identity. Johnson addresses fundamental, philosophical questions in his works and makes a serious effort to overcome and transcend the boundaries of class, ethnicity, and culture.

His books include: “Night Hawks: Stories” and “Dreamer” “All Your Racial Problems Will Soon End: The Cartoons of Charles Johnson“

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These literary giants from Southern Illinois have left an indelible mark on the world of literature. Their contributions continue to be celebrated and cherished.

Let’s continue to appreciate and support Southern Illinois writers. Their words have the power to transport us, inspire us, and connect us with the rich tapestry of human emotions.

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If you enjoy this article, visit our blog at The Ritual for related flash fiction.

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The article was written by a dark fiction author, Willy Martinez. Copyright Mind on Fire Books.