Believe it or not, Buffalo has always been a place of refuge for great writers. The list of writers from Buffalo Niagara or associated with Buffalo Niagara is vast. The legendary satirist Mark Twain lived in the city from 1869-1871, the longest time he ever stayed in one place at that time since his childhood. 20th Century luminary F. Scott Fitzgerald spent a few years of his early life in The Queen City as well. Yet despite literary giants roaming our streets long ago, the region has born and raised more than its fair share of excellent writers that are literary titans in their own right.

This Buffalonian wore a lot of hats (figuratively speaking)! Primarily known as a columnist who published biographies of such Hollywood Elites as Jackie Gleason, Bacon was also a journalist for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner for 17 years, as well as an actor in such Hollywood classics as Planet of The Apes and its two subsequent sequels. Mr. Bacon died at the age of 94, but during his time on earth, he left behind a work resume of respected biographies and acting credits that would make any Buffalonian proud.

Known for his two long-running crime series, The Mathew Scudder Novels (about an alcoholic P.I. in New York) and the Bernie Rhodenbarr Novels (about a gentleman thief, also taking place in New York). Active since the late 1950s, Block was pounding the pavement for years, writing prolifically in whatever genre paid the bills ranging from erotica to crime. He eventually found his footing in 1976 with the publication of Sins of The Fathers (the first Mathew Scudder novel). He has since written more than 50 books garnering a bevy of awards ranging from the prestigious Edgar Award to many others, and was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America in 1994.

His work has also been adapted to film, with 2014’s grizzly A Walk Amongst the Tombstones being the latest. Block is a modern-day staple in the crime/detective genre, having now influenced many writers through his varied work. Truly one of the famous writers from Buffalo Niagara.

Known Primarily for a book of prayers, Are You Running with Me, Jesus? which became a bestseller, Malcolm Boyd has written several other books dealing with his faith. He was also well known as a prominent activist during the civil rights movement (being a member of the freedom riders), opposing The Vietnam war and being an openly gay rights spokesman. Boyd is one of the rare examples of those that take what they believe/write and apply it in the real world. As a result, Boyd’s work stands as an example of the man himself “practice what you preach.”

Known for her well-revered poetry, which led her to become a Poet laureate of Maryland as well as a finalist twice for the Pulitzer Prize for poetry, but despite all her well-deserved stature as a great poet, Lucille Clifton also wrote more than 16 books for children, focusing on stories for African-American youth. With these books being published in the 1970s, this extensively makes Clifton a trailblazer on top of her other numerous achievements since children’s books focusing specifically on black children was a niche market at the time, and having such a well-respected luminary in the literary field lead credence to the genre, thus opening the door for others. Lucille Clifton, counted amongst the writers from Buffalo Niagara and a trailblazer.

Maestro of the political realm, Gregg Easterbrook is contributing editor of both the New Republic and the Atlantic Monthly, as well as an author of multiple books dealings with an assortment of topics from politics to football. Fiercely outspoken and ready to defend his beliefs at the drop of a hat, Mr. Easterbrook carries all the traits of these writers from Buffalo Niagara!

A historical novelist, a playwright, and a children’s book author, these are all the titles held by Buffalo’s very own Allan W. Eckert. Having been an avid fan of nature as a young man, Eckert eventually transplanted his love and experiences of nature in his 1971 children’s book Incident at Hawk’s Hill, which became a runner up for the Newbery Medal, and was later adapted in 1975 into a Disney TV movie called The Boy Who Talked to Badgers.

Eckert also wrote numerous books on natural history, which caught the attention of those behind the documentary series Mutual of Omaha’s the Wild Kingdom. He subsequently wrote 225 episodes and won an Emmy for his efforts. Millions also enjoyed his historical novels due to the way he seamlessly mixed fiction with fact, creating historical novels that had a real sense of momentum and entertainment—endearing himself and his works to generations of readers both young and old.

Known for being a columnist for such places as the Daily Beast, Slate, and the New York Times, Michelle Goldberg is known as a tough reporter, respected in the field for her truthful reporting. Her first book, 2006 Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism, was a finalist for the 2007 New York Public Library’s Helen Bernstein Book Award for Excellence in Journalism. Her second book, 2009, Sex, Power, and the Future of the World dealt with women’s reproductive rights across multiple continents, the basis of which was based on her reporting. Never one to hold her tongue, she possesses the marks of a great journalist, which in turn translates to a captivating author.