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Michael Hornburg

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Michael Hornburg
Born (1960-10-31) October 31, 1960 (age 64)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Alma materPortland State University
Occupations
  • Writer
  • literary agent
Notable work

Michael Hornburg (born October 31, 1960)[1] is an American writer and literary agent. He has published two novels: Bongwater (1995) and Downers Grove (1999),[2] both of which have been adapted into feature films. He has also written for the Portland, Oregon publication The Portland Mercury.[3]

Biography

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Hornburg was born in Chicago, where he lived on the city's north side until age fourteen before relocating to Downers Grove.[4] He attended Downers Grove South High School, where he graduated in 1978.[4] After graduating high school, Hornburg moved to Portland, Oregon and attended Portland State University.[5] His first novel, Bongwater, published in 1995, was based on his experiences living there, as well as his purported relationship with a then-unknown Courtney Love.[6][7] In 1998, Bongwater was adapted into a film of the same name starring Luke Wilson, Alicia Witt, Brittany Murphy, and Jack Black.[4]

His second book, a coming-of-age horror novel titled Downers Grove, was published in 1999, and reprinted in 2001. The novel received positive critical reception; Robin Henley of The Chicago Tribune wrote: "If the story and setting sound like territory that has been well-trod, that's because it has been, but what makes this novel a welcome addition to the canon of coming-of-age literature is the voice Hornburg has created for Chrissie. Hornburg knows the rhythms of teenage world-weariness, a self-possessed patter that often belies the terror of straddling the worlds of adulthood and childhood."[8] It would also later be adapted into a feature film, titled The Curse of Downers Grove (2015), adapted by Bret Easton Ellis.[9] In a 2015 interview, Hornburg stated he was working on a new book loosely connected to his first novel, Bongwater.[9]

In addition to novels, Hornburg also worked as a writer for The Portland Mercury.[10]

Personal life

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He was previously married to writer Darcey Steinke, with whom he has a daughter, born in 1996.[11] Hornburg lives in Brooklyn, New York.[9]

Bibliography

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  • Bongwater. Grove Press. 1995. ISBN 978-0-802-11510-2.
  • Downers Grove. William Morrow and Company. 1999. ISBN 978-0802137937.

References

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Notes

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  1. ^ "United States Public Records, 1970-2009," database, FamilySearch (22 May 2014), Michael S Hornburg, Residence, Brooklyn, New York, United States; a third party aggregator of publicly available information.
  2. ^ Hornburg, Michael (2001). Downers Grove. Grove Press. ISBN 0802137938.
  3. ^ "Michael Hornburg". Grove Atlantic. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c Gire, Dann (August 31, 2015). "Curses! Downers South grad not happy with movie version of his book". The Daily Herald. Chicago. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  5. ^ Mannion, Annemarie (August 14, 2015). "'The Curse of Downers Grove' movie to be released Aug. 21". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  6. ^ Holdcroft, Leslie (July 30, 1995). "Bongwater". The Seattle Times. Entertainment & the Arts. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  7. ^ Jacobs, A.J. (March 17, 1995). "Love Letters". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  8. ^ Henley, Robin (August 1, 1999). "A Touching Look At Teens Coming Of Age In Downers Grove". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  9. ^ a b c Spiegel, Janel (October 26, 2015). "Interview: Author Michael Hornburg". Horror News. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  10. ^ Hornburg, Michael (October 18, 2001). "The Greatest Work of Art, Ever". The Portland Mercury.
  11. ^ Inge 2008, p. 428.

References

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