HAPPENINGS
Gary receives a minnesota state arts board grant
Gary was recently awarded a 2025 Creative Individuals Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board to support work on his current manuscript in progress, a book-length collection of personal essays. Read more about the grant and the 2025 recipients here.
Gary reading at Moon palace books, Sunday, March 24 at 3 pm
Gary will be reading with the poet Sunu P. Chandy at Moon Palace Books, 3032 Minnehaha Avenue in Minneapolis, on Sunday, March 24 at 3 pm. More details here!
Gary in conversation with Leslea Newman in the bay area reporter
Gary recently talked with the children’s and young adult author Leslea Newman, author of Heather Has Two Mommies and many other books, including two about the life of Matthew Shepard. They also discussed the use of verse and illustrations in storytelling, the importance of telling rural stories, and other topics. Read their conversation here.
Gary talks about The complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen on Literacy in place
Gary talked with Dr. Chea Parton of Purdue University (and a member of the Whippoorwill Book Award Committee) about the long haul that is writing (and writing a novel), rurality and place, identity, and other topics. Watch and listen here.
Gary talks about The complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen on the Gaily Show
Gary was a recent guest on The Gaily Show on AM 950 where he talked about The Complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen, writing novels, and new projects. The interview is available on YouTube and as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, and other platforms. Watch and listen here.
The complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen book talk on the Literacy in place/reading rural podcast!
Dr. Chea Parton of Purdue University discusses the novel with two Western Illinois University education students, including approaches for integrating it into the classroom. Watch and listen here and on other podcast platforms.
The complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen now available as an audiobook!
The Complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen has just been released as an audiobook! Narrated by the award winning voice actor Maxwell Glick, the audiobook is available on Audible, Scribd, audiobooks.com, Barnes and Noble, Apple Books, and Overdrive.
The complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen selected for the Dayton’s bluff Book Club
The Complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen has been selected as the March 2024 book by the Dayton’s Bluff Book Club, co-sponsored by the Metropolitan State University Library and Learning Center and the Dayton's Bluff branch of the Saint Paul Public Library. More information about the book club here.
coming soon: The complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen audiobook!
The audiobook of The Complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen, narrated by Maxwell Glick, will be released on October 24, 2023 and will available through Scribd, Audible, and Barnes and Noble. Click the Scribd, Audible, and Barnes and Noble links for more information and to pre-order.
The complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen featured in rural educator
The article, "The 2023 Whippoorwill Award: Complex Representations of Rural Identities and Places," discusses the 2023 award winning young adult books that "depict rural people and experiences in nuanced ways and celebrate rurality, even as they tackle important social issues and challenges in rural places.” Read the full text of the article here.
Gary to appear at the austin artworks Festival on Saturday, August 26
Gary will be participating in the Austin Artworks Festival, a two day event featuring artists and writers happening in Austin, MN on Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27. He’ll be discussing his work as part of a Children’s and Young Adult Books panel starting at 11:45 am. Read more about the festival here.
The complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen Receives the 2023 Whippoorwill Book award for rural young adult literature!
The award is given to the ten most distinguished young adult books published in the previous year that “portray the complexity of rural living by dispelling stereotypes and demonstrating diversity among rural people.” Learn more here.
INTERVIEW WITH GARY ON THE NORTH 103.3
Gary was recently interviewed on The North 103.3 in Duluth, Minnesota as part of their weekly “MN Reads” feature. Listen here.
The complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen named the 2022 Silver winner in the Foreword Reviews INDIE Book of the Year Awards for Young Adult Fiction!
The awards recognize the best books from small, independent, and university presses published in the previous year. Read more here.
The complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen wins the 2023 minnesota book award for young adult literature!
The Complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen won the 2023 Minnesota Book Award for Young Adult Literature in a ceremony at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul on Monday, May 2. Read more about the book and the other winners here; the YouTube recording of the ceremony is available here.
Gary’s Minnesota Book Awards interview and panel discussion
Gary participated in an interview and a panel discussion with the other finalists for the 2023 Minnesota Book Award for Young Adult Literature. Read the interview and view the discussion here.
Gary a featured author at the 20th annual saints and sinners literary festival in new orleans
Gary was a recent participant in the annual festival held in late March, speaking on panels about the state of GLBTQ+ YA literature and the role of setting in fiction. He wrote about his experience at the festival in the San Francisco Bay-Times here.
The Complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen named a finalist in the 2022 Foreword Reviews INDIES Book of the Year Awards!
The Complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen is a finalist in the 2022 Foreword Reviews INDIE Book of the Year Awards in Young Adult Fiction. Read more about the awards here.
The Complicated Calculus (and Cows) and Carl Paulsen named a finalist in the minnesota book awards!
The Complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen is a finalist for the 2023 Minnesota Book Award in Young Adult Literature! Read more about the awards and the other finalists here.
WROTE PODCAST WITH GARY ELDON PETER — Youtube recording!
Here’s the YouTube recording of Gary’s WROTE podcast — watch it here.
WROTE PODCAST WITH GARY ELDON PETER
Gary was the featured guest on the WROTE (Written on the Edge) podcast, talking about writing YA books, storytelling, book banning, and many other topics. Listen to the podcast here.
Sarahlyn Buck interview with Gary Eldon peter
Gary was recently interviewed by writer and blogger Sarahlyn Buck about his novel The Complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen and other writing related topics as part of her Author Spotlight series. Read the interview here.
Gary eldon peter a featured author at the 2022 twin cities book festival, saturday, October 15
Gary will be a featured author at this year’s Twin Cities Book Festival on Saturday, October 15. The festival, sponsored by Rain Taxi Review, takes place at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds from 10 am to 5 pm. He’ll be in conversation at 2:30 pm with Vanessa Torres, author The Turning Pointe, to discuss the theme “Growing Up Minnesotan” in their work. More details here.
Reading at red balloon bookshop with Carol Dines and Judith Katz on October 12
Gary will be in conversation with Carol Dines, author of The Take-over Friend and Judith Katz, author of Running Fiercely Towards a High Thin Sound and The Escape Artist at Red Balloon Bookshop in Saint Paul on Wednesday, October 12 at 6:30 pm. More details here.
A Conspiracy of lemurs Podcast: “Rural settings in YA fiction: world building with nonbinary characters”
Gary was featured in a podcast with Val Nieman, author of The Lonely Backwater and hosted by Jaynie Royal and Pam Van Dyk of Regal House Publishing, discussing the role and impact of rural settings in young adult novels. Listen to the podcast here.
Hasty book List interview with gary eldon peter
Gary was recently interviewed in the Hasty Book List about his new novel The Complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen. Read the interview here.
the complicated calculus (and cows) of carl paulsen a “new and notable” pick
The Independent Publishers Group (IPG) has selected Gary’s novel The Complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen as a “New and Notable” selection.
San francisco Bay Times Interview with gary eldon peter
Gary was recently interviewed in the San Francisco Bay Times about his new novel The Complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen. Read the interview here.
“A LIFE IN THE THEATRE” PUBLISHED IN The GAY AND LESBIAN REVIEW
Gary’s essay “A Life in the Theater” was recently published in The Gay and Lesbian Review as part of its “Here’s My Story” series. Read it here.
QUEER FORTY INTERVIEW WITH GARY ELDON PETER
Gary was recently interviewed in the magazine Queer Forty about his new novel The Complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen. Read the interview here.
JUST PUBLISHED: Wide open spaces: writing the “rural” YA novel
Gary wrote an essay about the role of the rural setting in his just published novel, The Complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen for the School Library Journal blog. Read the essay here.
Gary eldon peter Interview
Gary was interviewed by writer Lily Iona McKenzie about his new novel and other aspects of the writing life. Read the interview on her blog here.
gary eldon peter “I’ve got questions for…” interview
Gary Eldon Peter was recently featured on writer Cliff Garstang’s “I’ve Got Question For…” column. Read the interview about Gary’s latest book here.
The Complicated calculus (and cows) of Carl Paulsen JULY 12 LAUNCH EVENT!
The virtual launch of Gary’s just published novel, The Complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen, is Tuesday, July 12 at 7 pm. CST. Gary will once again be partnering with the Quatrefoil Library, one of the oldest and most distinguished LGBTQIA+ literary organizations in the country, for the event. He’ll be in conversation with the amazing Brian Malloy, author of four novels, including The Year of Ice and his most recent book After Francesco, which among many other honors was named a Best LGBTQ Book of 2021 by Oprah Daily and was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award. The Zoom link for the event is here (click See more for the link and for more information).
The Complicated calculus (and cows) of Carl Paulsen available for order
The Complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen was published on July 5, 2022 and is available for order through the following outlets:
Amazon (paperback and Kindle)
You can also order through your local independent bookstore.
OrANGES featured as recommended reading for pride month 2022
Gary Eldon Peter’s debut short story collection Oranges has once again been listed by the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP) as recommended reading for Pride Month 2022. View the Reading List for Pride Month 2022 here.
OrANGES featured as recommended reading for pride month 2021
Gary Eldon Peter’s debut short story collection Oranges has been listed by the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP) as recommended reading for Pride Month 2021. View the Reading List for Pride Month 2021 here.
gary eldon peter “I’ve got questions for…” interview
Gary Eldon Peter was recently featured on writer Cliff Garstang’s “I’ve Got Question For…” column. Read the interview here.
Carl Paulsen RECEIVES 2020 Acheven BOOK prize for young adult fiction
Gary Eldon Peter’s debut novel The Complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen has been awarded the Acheven Book Prize for Young Adult Fiction and will be published in Summer 2022 by Fitzroy Books.
Oranges RECEIVES gold medal for LGBT+ fiction, 2020 Independent Publisher Book awards
Gary Eldon Peter’s debut short story collection Oranges has been awarded the Gold Medal for LGBT+ fiction in the 2020 Independent Publisher Book Awards (known in the industry as the IPPYs). More about the awards, which recognize excellence in small press and independent publishing, here.
GARY ELDON PETER READS FOR SAS FESTIVAL
Gary Eldon Peter read an excerpt from his debut collection Oranges as part of the “SAS Invades Bookstream Event” sponsored by Tubby and Coos Bookstore in New Orleans, where Oranges is also available for purchase. Listen to the reading here.
GARY ELDON PETER FEATURED ON Queer Words PODCAST
Gary Eldon Peter was recently interviewed for the Queer Words podcast about his debut collection Oranges. Listen to the podcast here.
Selected Shorts reading of “Wedding” available on soundcloud
“Wedding,” a short story from Oranges, was performed by the actor John Benjamin Hickey as part of “Shout it Out: The Stonewall Uprising at 50,” on the long-running radio program Selected Shorts, featuring short stories read by actors from film, television, and the Broadway stage.
oranges selected as the MARCH read for prime timers book club
Gary Eldon Peter’s linked short story collection Oranges will be the March 2020 selection for the Prime Timers Book Club. The club will meet at 1 pm on January 25, 2020 at the Quatrefoil Library, 1220 E. Lake St. in Minneapolis. Gary will be be on hand to participate in the discussion.
gary eldon peter to be a featured speaker at the saints and sinners Literary festival
Gary Eldon Peter will give a reading and participate in a panel about writing short fiction at the 17th Annual Saints and Sinners Literary Festival held in New Orleans from March 27 to March 29, 2020. The festival, which takes place at the Hotel Monteleone in the historic French Quarter, “features panel discussions and master classes around literary topics that provide a forum for authors, editors and publishers to talk about their work for the benefit of emerging writers and the enjoyment of fans of LGBT literature.” Visit Saints and Sinners here.
gary eldon peter awarded summer residency to the siena Art institute
Gary Eldon Peter will be a Visiting Artist in Residence at the Siena Art Institute (SART) in Siena, Italy, in August 2020. The residency includes a studio at SART as well as an apartment in the historic center of Siena. Visiting Artists pursue independent creative projects and give a public performance and a master class related to their discipline during their time at SART. More details about SART’s Visiting Artist program here.
gary eldon peter featured on the purpose tune podcast
Gary Eldon Peter was recently interviewed for the Purpose Tune podcast about his debut collection Oranges and the importance of mentorship. Listen to the podcast here.
oranges FEATURED IN SHELF UNBOUND “SUMMER READS” ISSUE
Gary Eldon Peter’s debut collection Oranges is listed as “Recommended Reading” in the June/July 2019 issue of Shelf Unbound.
oranges shortlisted for the Friends of American Writers Chicago award
Gary Eldon Peter’s debut collection Oranges was recently shortlisted for the Adult Literature Award sponsored by the Friends of American Writers Chicago. The award recognizes new, emerging Midwestern authors whose work is set in the Midwest.
Podcast Interview
Gary Eldon Peter was interviewed for the New Rivers Press Podcast series about his debut collection Oranges. Listen to the podcast here.
Oranges wins Midwest Book Award
Gary Eldon Peter’s debut collection Oranges won the Midwest Book Award for Short Story Collection/anthology. The awards, sponsored by the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association (MIPA), recognize quality and originality in work published the previous year and were presented at a gala event on May 4.
minnesota book awards interview
Gary Eldon Peter was featured in the “36 B0oks Blog,” interviews with the finalists for the 2019 Minnesota Book Awards. Read the interview here.
ORANGES A FINALIST FOR THE midwest BOOK AWARD
Gary Eldon Peter’s debut collection Oranges has been named a finalist for the 2019 Midwest Book Award for Short Story Collection/Anthology. Winners will be announced on May 4 in St. Paul.
interview
Gary Eldon Peter was recently interviewed for the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library Fireside Reading Series. Read the interview here.
ORANGES A FINALIST FOR THE MINNESOTA BOOK AWARD
Gary Eldon Peter’s debut collection Oranges has been named a finalist for the 2019 Minnesota Book Award for a Novel or Short Story collection. Winners will be announced on April 6 at a ceremony at the InterContinental Hotel in downtown St. Paul.
Oranges REcognized
Gary Eldon Peter’s debut collection Oranges was listed as “fiction worth mentioning” and described as “quietly compelling” in the Winter 2019 Minnesota Alumni Quarterly Books Roundup.
Interview
Gary Eldon Peter was recently interviewed about his debut collection Oranges for the AWP LGBTQ Writers Caucus blog. Read the interview here.
Oranges available for order
Gary Eldon Peter's debut book Oranges is available through the following outlets:
Amazon (paperback and Kindle)
You can also order through your local independent bookstore.
Oranges Cover Revealed
May 11, 2018: New Rivers Press has revealed the cover of Gary Eldon Peter's soon-to-be-published debut book, Oranges. The announcement was made on the press's Facebook page. Scotia MacNeil is the designer.
At One Sitting Interview
An interview with Gary Eldon Peter, entitled “How Do You Do, Lady Plot?,” has been published on the web site At One Sitting: A Personal Archive of Interviews With Contemporary Short Story Authors.
Oranges Honored
Gary Eldon Peter's linked short story collection, Oranges, won the 2016 New Rivers Press Many Voices Project competition in Prose. New Rivers Press will publish Oranges in Fall 2018. The collection was also a finalist for the 2015 Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction.