Steven E. Wedel
Encyclopedia
Steven E. Wedel is an American author currently residing in Moore, Oklahoma
. He is best known for his series of books in The Werewolf Saga, all published by Scrybe Press of Morristown, New York.
Wedel has earned praise from fellow authors Tom Piccirilli, Gary A. Braunbeck
, Brian Keene
and others, as well as from genre and mainstream publications like City Slab, Blood Rose and Rue Morgue magazines and The Oklahoman
newspaper.
Wedel's earliest influences were authors such as Wilson Rawls
and Fred Gibson
. He later began reading fantasy fiction by authors like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and others before becoming an avid reader of horror fiction
. Later influences include Stephen King
, Charles L. Grant
and William Peter Blatty
.
Of his most recent book, Seven Days in Benevolence, one reviewer called it, "A classically creepy ghost story, Seven Days in Benevolence is a fast paced, tantalizingly horrific novella that’s perfect for hungry ghost story fans. The short length makes it an easy read, and its dazzling climax will leave readers breathless." Regarding The Werewolf Saga, another reviewer remarked, "What you will find is pure story told in a chiseled down, straightforward style that's as engaging as it is rewarding."
, graduating from Enid High School
in 1984. He worked as a machinist for about 10 years, eventually moving to Oklahoma City
to continue that career. He earned a bachelor of arts in journalism from the University of Central Oklahoma
in 1999. While attending UCO he was a popular and often infamous columnist for The Vista, the campus newspaper, where he wrote two columns, Steven Says and Army of Grass. Wedel began working as a newspaper reporter for The Oklahoman
while still in college. He continued working for The Oklahoman until fall of 2000, when he took a job as a writer in Conoco Inc.'s human resources division, transferring to Ponca City, Oklahoma
, where he lived until Conoco and Phillips Petroleum Co. merged in 2003. Wedel then moved to Moore, Oklahoma
, where he resumed his newspaper career for a short time before moving into the role of public relations director, first for Oklahoma City University
, then the South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce. Wedel earned a master of liberal studies degree from the University of Oklahoma
in 2004. In 2006 he obtained a license to teach in Oklahoma and has worked as a high school English teacher since 2007. He now currently teaches English at Western Heights High School, and loves his seniors of 2011.
Wedel began writing in elementary school, but it was not until high school that he began to work seriously on his craft. He sold his first short story to The Midnight Zoo magazine in 1992. Many of his early short stories are collected in his book Darkscapes. His first novel, Shara, was originally published by 3F Publications in 2003 (3F Publications ceased to exist soon after and the book has since been republished by Scrybe Press). He currently has five books in print and has appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies. His bestselling title to date is Murdered by Human Wolves, a fictionalized account of the death of Katherine Cross
.
Moore, Oklahoma
Moore is a city in Cleveland County, Oklahoma and is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. The population was 55,081 at the 2010 census, making it the seventh largest city in the state of Oklahoma....
. He is best known for his series of books in The Werewolf Saga, all published by Scrybe Press of Morristown, New York.
Wedel has earned praise from fellow authors Tom Piccirilli, Gary A. Braunbeck
Gary A. Braunbeck
Gary A. Braunbeck is an American science fiction, fantasy, mystery and horror author.-Biography:Braunbeck was born in Newark, Ohio . He writes in a number of different genres, but principally horror...
, Brian Keene
Brian Keene
Brian Keene is an American author, primarily of horror, crime fiction, and comic books. He has won two Bram Stoker Awards.- Background :Keene was born in 1967. He grew up in both Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and many of his books take place in these locales. After graduating high school, he...
and others, as well as from genre and mainstream publications like City Slab, Blood Rose and Rue Morgue magazines and The Oklahoman
The Oklahoman
The Oklahoman is the largest daily newspaper in Oklahoma and is the only daily newspaper that covers the entire Oklahoma City area.-Ownership:...
newspaper.
Wedel's earliest influences were authors such as Wilson Rawls
Wilson Rawls
Wilson Rawls, born Woodrow Wilson Rawls, was an American writer best known for his books Where the Red Fern Grows and Summer of the Monkeys.- Childhood :...
and Fred Gibson
Fred Gibson
Fred Gibson is a former wide receiver and former NBA D-League guard.-College career:Gibson attended University of Georgia and majored in Speech Communications....
. He later began reading fantasy fiction by authors like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and others before becoming an avid reader of horror fiction
Horror fiction
Horror fiction also Horror fantasy is a philosophy of literature, which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten its readers, inducing feelings of horror and terror. It creates an eerie atmosphere. Horror can be either supernatural or non-supernatural...
. Later influences include Stephen King
Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
, Charles L. Grant
Charles L. Grant
Charles Lewis Grant was a novelist and short story writer specializing in what he called "dark fantasy" and "quiet horror." He also wrote under the pseudonyms of Geoffrey Marsh, Lionel Fenn, Simon Lake, Felicia Andrews, and Deborah Lewis.Grant won a World Fantasy Award for his novella collection...
and William Peter Blatty
William Peter Blatty
William Peter Blatty is an American writer and filmmaker. The novel The Exorcist, written in 1971, is his magnum opus; he also penned the subsequent screenplay version of the film, for which he won an Academy Award....
.
Of his most recent book, Seven Days in Benevolence, one reviewer called it, "A classically creepy ghost story, Seven Days in Benevolence is a fast paced, tantalizingly horrific novella that’s perfect for hungry ghost story fans. The short length makes it an easy read, and its dazzling climax will leave readers breathless." Regarding The Werewolf Saga, another reviewer remarked, "What you will find is pure story told in a chiseled down, straightforward style that's as engaging as it is rewarding."
Background
Steven E. Wedel grew up in Enid, OklahomaEnid, Oklahoma
Enid is a city in Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States. In 2010, the population was 49,379, making it the ninth largest city in Oklahoma. It is the county seat of Garfield County. Enid was founded during the opening of the Cherokee Outlet in the Land Run of 1893, and is named after Enid, a...
, graduating from Enid High School
Enid High School
Enid High School is a public secondary school in Enid, Oklahoma operated by the Enid Public Schools school district. With a student body of about 1,700 in grades 9-12, Enid High School has about a 65 percent matriculation rate...
in 1984. He worked as a machinist for about 10 years, eventually moving to Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
to continue that career. He earned a bachelor of arts in journalism from the University of Central Oklahoma
University of Central Oklahoma
The University of Central Oklahoma, often referred to as UCO, is a coeducational public university located in Edmond, Oklahoma. The university is the third largest in Oklahoma, with almost 18,000 students and approximately 434 full-time and 400 adjunct faculty...
in 1999. While attending UCO he was a popular and often infamous columnist for The Vista, the campus newspaper, where he wrote two columns, Steven Says and Army of Grass. Wedel began working as a newspaper reporter for The Oklahoman
The Oklahoman
The Oklahoman is the largest daily newspaper in Oklahoma and is the only daily newspaper that covers the entire Oklahoma City area.-Ownership:...
while still in college. He continued working for The Oklahoman until fall of 2000, when he took a job as a writer in Conoco Inc.'s human resources division, transferring to Ponca City, Oklahoma
Ponca City, Oklahoma
Ponca City is a small city in Kay and Osage counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma, which was named after the Ponca Tribe. Located in north central Oklahoma, it lies approximately south of the Kansas border, and approximately east of Interstate 35. 25,919 people called Ponca City home at the...
, where he lived until Conoco and Phillips Petroleum Co. merged in 2003. Wedel then moved to Moore, Oklahoma
Moore, Oklahoma
Moore is a city in Cleveland County, Oklahoma and is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. The population was 55,081 at the 2010 census, making it the seventh largest city in the state of Oklahoma....
, where he resumed his newspaper career for a short time before moving into the role of public relations director, first for Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City University, often referred to as OCU, is a coeducational, urban, private university historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church...
, then the South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce. Wedel earned a master of liberal studies degree from the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
in 2004. In 2006 he obtained a license to teach in Oklahoma and has worked as a high school English teacher since 2007. He now currently teaches English at Western Heights High School, and loves his seniors of 2011.
Wedel began writing in elementary school, but it was not until high school that he began to work seriously on his craft. He sold his first short story to The Midnight Zoo magazine in 1992. Many of his early short stories are collected in his book Darkscapes. His first novel, Shara, was originally published by 3F Publications in 2003 (3F Publications ceased to exist soon after and the book has since been republished by Scrybe Press). He currently has five books in print and has appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies. His bestselling title to date is Murdered by Human Wolves, a fictionalized account of the death of Katherine Cross
Katherine Cross
Katherine Cross was a young Oklahoma woman whose headstone epitaph, "Murdered by Human wolves" was a source of local legend. Her grave is located in Violet Cemetery in Konawa, Oklahoma....
.
Novels & Novellas
- Murdered by Human Wolves (2004)
- Shara (2006)
- Seven Days in Benevolence (2005, 2007)
- Ulrik (2008)
- Little Graveyard on the Prairie (100 copy hardcover limited edition from Bad Moon BooksBad Moon BooksBad Moon Books is a publishing company owned by Roy K. Robbins in Garden Grove, California. In the middle of 1986, they began as a bookseller only, but in 2007 they began publishing. Their works include many Black Quill Award and Bram Stoker Award winners and nominees...
, 2008) - Ghost Sickness (2011), Co-authored with Carrie JonesCarrie JonesCarrie Jones is an American author, known for her work in young-adult fiction. She has written books in both the fantasy and non-fantasy genres, including the paranormal novel series Need. Jones has received multiple awards and appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list.-Personal life and...
, to be published by Bloomsbury
Selected Short Fiction
- "Unholy Womb" - The Midnight Zoo (1992)
- "The God of Discord" - Corpse Blossoms (2005)
- "Okie Werewolf Seeks Love" - The Beast Within (2008)