author
Don Wilcox
1905–2000
A prolific pulp-era storyteller, this Kansas-born writer published science fiction, fantasy, western, mystery, and young adult fiction over a career that stretched for more than 50 years. He is especially remembered for fast-moving magazine adventures and for teaching creative writing at Northwestern University.
1 Audiobook
The Serpent River
by Don Wilcox
About the author
Born Cleo Eldon Wilcox in Lucas, Kansas, on August 29, 1905, he became best known by the pen name Don Wilcox. His interest in writing started early while working as a typesetter for a local newspaper, and he later studied at the University of Kansas.
Wilcox built a long and varied career as a writer, publishing more than 100 stories under his own name and several pseudonyms. He wrote across science fiction, fantasy, western, mystery, and books for younger readers, with much of his best-known pulp work appearing in magazines such as Amazing Stories and Fantastic Adventures. Sources also note that he taught creative writing at Northwestern University.
He remained closely tied to his Kansas roots even after spending years in Chicago and New York. Wilcox died on March 9, 2000, in Lucas, leaving behind a body of work that reflects the energy and imagination of classic American popular fiction.