By Regina Durley

Stephen F. Austin State University Honors Joe R.
Lansdale, Nacogdoches Texas, today for his many
accomplishment and awards won over the years.

Born October 28, 1951 in Gladewater Texas Lansdale has not
only been a full time parent but he also has a writing
career and teaches Shen Chuan, a martial arts school.

“I will visit Los Angeles for business then I will
return to Texas.” Lansdale said. He is really true to
his home state and also stated that he would “NEVER!”
move to Los Angeles. “That is a place only for
business, too much goes on there, Texas will always be
my home,” he said.

Lansdale, a Caucasian in his late 30’s wearing his
hair to the side with a black button up shirt on with
jeans and shoes, sat and spoke passionately about his
writings, teachings and children as the class closely
listened to his every word.

“Lansdale’s writings are usually deeply ironic,
strange or absurd situations or characters,” Wikipedia
said. He started published his first book Act of Love
in 1980. He then went on to publish The Nightrunners
in 1983. Dead in the West and Magic Wagon was his
next publications in 1986.

In 1989 he published six novels, The Best of the
West, By Bizarre Hands, Cold in July, The Drive-In 2,
New Frontier and Razored Saddles. The following year
he Wrote Savage Seasons.

His magazine career didn’t start until 1991 when he
wrote Batman: Captured by Engines. “I am a big batman
fan.” Lansdale said. “It was an honor doing these
episodes.” He also wrote Magic Wagon and Stories by
Mama Lansdale’s Youngest Boy.

The following year he wrote two more Batman episodes
and in 1993 he wrote Bestsellers Guaranteed, Jonah
Hex: Two Gun Mojo, Long Ranger and Tonto.

He went on to write many other novels and started to
receive awards for his works. In 1988, he won the
“Short Fiction” award and the following year he won
the “Long Fiction” award.

In 1997 he win “The Big Blow,” and in 1999 he won
”Mad Dog Summer.” He has won seven Bram Stoker
Awards, and many more. His latest book is Lost Echos
that was just published this year.

Even though he is a well-known writer that is not all
that he has a great talent for, he is also very
proficient in karate. With a smile on his face he
told how he first started his karate skills.

“I was about 11 and used to get picked on at school and my
dad traveled from town to town wrestling with the
circus,” Lansdale said. When asked to show some of
his moves he calmly stated that Shen Chuan does not
have specific “moves,” they have actual physical
contact with the demonstrators.

Through the teachings, writings and being a good
example for his children Lansdale is remembered today
at Stephen F. Austin State University as “the man who
could never leave home.”