Richard Russo

Richard Russo (born July 15, 1949) is an American novelist, short story writer, screenwriter, and teacher.
Early life and education.
Russo was born in Johnstown, New York, and raised in nearby Gloversville. He earned a bachelor's degree, a Master of Fine Arts degree, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Arizona, which he attended from 1967 through 1979. The subject of his doctoral dissertation was the works of the early American writer, historian and editor Charles Brockden Brown
Career.
Russo was teaching in the English department at Southern Illinois University Carbondale when his first novel, "Mohawk", was published, in 1986. Much of his work is semi-autobiographical, drawing on his life from his upbringing in upstate New York to his time teaching literature at Colby College (subsequently retired).
His 2001 novel "Empire Falls" received the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. He has written seven other novels, a collection of short stories, and a memoir ("Elsewhere"). His short story "Horseman" was published in "The Best American Short Stories 2007" edited by Stephen King and Heidi Pitlor.
Russo co-wrote the 1998 film "Twilight" with the director Robert Benton. Benton adapted Russo's "Nobody's Fool" as a 1994 film of the same title, starring Paul Newman, which he also directed. Russo wrote the teleplay for the HBO adaptation of "Empire Falls", the screenplay for the 2005 film "Ice Harvest", and the screenplay for the 2005 Niall Johnson film "Keeping Mum", which starred Rowan Atkinson.
Personal life.
Russo and his wife, Barbara, live in Portland, Maine,and spend winters in Boston. They have two daughters, Kate and Emily.