Lee Smith
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Brief Biography
Lee Smith is a native of Grundy, Virginia, a small mountain town. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Hollins College (now Hollins University) in 1967 and won a writing grant from the Book-of-the-Month Club, which led to the publication of her debut novel The Last Day the Dogbushes Bloomed in 1968. Smith then moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and worked at The Tuscaloosa News while continuing to write novels. She later moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and embarked on a teaching career in addition to her writing. In 1981, Smith began teaching at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, where she remained until her retirement in 2000. Today, Smith continues to write and live in Hillsborough, North Carolina.
Publications
The Last Day the Dogbushes Bloomed. New York; Harper & Row, 1968.
Something in the Wind. New York; Harper & Row, 1971.
Fancy Strut. New York; Harper & Row, 1973.
Black Mountain Breakdown. New York; Putnam, 1980.
Cakewalk. New York; Putnam, 1981.
Oral History. New York; Putnam, 1983.
Family Linen. New York; Putnam, 1985.
Bob, A Dog. North Carolina; Mud Puppy Press, 1988.
Fair and Tender Ladies. New York; Ballantine Books, 1989.
Me and My Baby View the Eclipse. New York; Putnam, 1989.
The Devil's Dream. New York; Putnam, 1992.
Saving Grace. New York; Ballantine Books, 1995.
The Christmas Letters. Chapel Hill, N.C.; Algonquin Books, 1996.
News of the Spirit New York; Putnam, 1997.
The Last Girls: A Novel. Chapel Hill, N.C.; Algonquin Books, 2002.
On Agate Hill: A Novel. Chapel Hill, N.C.; Algonquin Books, 2006.
Mrs. Darcy and the Blue-Eyed Stranger. Chapel Hill, N.C.; Algonquin Books, 2010.
Guests on Earth. Chapel Hill, N.C.; Algonquin Books, 2013.
Dimestore: A Writer's Life. Chapel Hill, N.C.; Algonquin Books, 2016.
Blue Marlin. Winston-Salem, N.C.; John F. Blair, 2020.
Silver Alert. Chapel Hill, N.C.; Algonquin Books, 2023.
Something in the Wind. New York; Harper & Row, 1971.
Fancy Strut. New York; Harper & Row, 1973.
Black Mountain Breakdown. New York; Putnam, 1980.
Cakewalk. New York; Putnam, 1981.
Oral History. New York; Putnam, 1983.
Family Linen. New York; Putnam, 1985.
Bob, A Dog. North Carolina; Mud Puppy Press, 1988.
Fair and Tender Ladies. New York; Ballantine Books, 1989.
Me and My Baby View the Eclipse. New York; Putnam, 1989.
The Devil's Dream. New York; Putnam, 1992.
Saving Grace. New York; Ballantine Books, 1995.
The Christmas Letters. Chapel Hill, N.C.; Algonquin Books, 1996.
News of the Spirit New York; Putnam, 1997.
The Last Girls: A Novel. Chapel Hill, N.C.; Algonquin Books, 2002.
On Agate Hill: A Novel. Chapel Hill, N.C.; Algonquin Books, 2006.
Mrs. Darcy and the Blue-Eyed Stranger. Chapel Hill, N.C.; Algonquin Books, 2010.
Guests on Earth. Chapel Hill, N.C.; Algonquin Books, 2013.
Dimestore: A Writer's Life. Chapel Hill, N.C.; Algonquin Books, 2016.
Blue Marlin. Winston-Salem, N.C.; John F. Blair, 2020.
Silver Alert. Chapel Hill, N.C.; Algonquin Books, 2023.
Themes
Lee Smith writes novels and short stories. She often incorporates her background as a southern woman into her works.
Publisher
Alabama Authors of the 19th and 20th Centuries, edited by Beverley Park Rilett, http://AlabamaAuthors.org
Collection
Citation
Smith, Lee, “Lee Smith,” Alabama Authors of the 19th & 20th Centuries, accessed September 19, 2024, https://alabamaauthors.org/items/show/655.