Willy Vlautin
Willy Vlautin, born in 1967 in Reno, Nevada, is an acclaimed American author and musician, serving as lead singer and songwriter for Portland band Richmond Fontaine.
He has written multiple novels, including The Motel Life, Northline, Lean on Pete, and The Free, all exploring the lives of working-class Americans near the bottom of the social and economic spectrum.
Influenced by Steinbeck, Carver, and Barry Gifford, his writing is deeply rooted in the American West.
Lean on Pete won two Oregon Book Awards, and his debut received recognition from both the New York Times and Washington Post.
