Charlaine Harris (born February 24, 1951) is an American author best known for her series of mystery novels featuring the vampire telepath Sookie Stackhouse, which were adapted into the television series True Blood. Harris has written over 30 novels and several short story collections, primarily in the mystery, fantasy, and romance genres.
Early life and education
Charlaine Harris was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and grew up in the southern United States. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1974.
Career
After graduating, Harris worked as a reporter for the Arkansas Democrat and later as a copy editor for the Arkansas Gazette. She began publishing short stories in the late 1970s, with her first professional sale appearing in The Mystery Reader in 1978.
Her first novel, Dead Until Dark, was published in 1991 as part of the Southern Vampire Mysteries (also known as the Sookie Stackhouse series). The series comprises 13 novels released between 1991 and 2013, chronicling the life of telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse in the fictional town of Bon Temps, Louisiana. The books blend elements of urban fantasy, mystery, and romance.
In addition to the Southern Vampire Mysteries, Harris has authored several other series, including:
- Aurora Teagarden series (1994–present): a contemporary mystery series featuring a librarian and amateur sleuth.
- Harriet Blue series (1995–1998): a historical mystery series set in the 19th‑century American West.
- Molly series (2005–2007): a contemporary romance series.
Harris has also written standalone novels and short story collections, and contributed to anthologies and magazines.
Adaptations
HBO adapted the Southern Vampire Mysteries into the television series True Blood (2008–2014), which ran for seven seasons. Harris served as a consultant on the show but was not directly involved in scriptwriting.
Awards and recognition
- Nominated for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award for The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1995).
- Received the Romance Writers of America RITA Award for The Graveyard Shift (1995).
- Honored with the Southern Writers Hall of Fame induction in 2014.
Personal life
Charlaine Harris resides in Texas with her husband, Jim McClintic, a former Texas Ranger and retired police detective. She has two children and is an active supporter of literacy and animal welfare organizations.
Bibliography (selected)
- Southern Vampire Mysteries (1991–2013) – 13 novels, including Dead Until Dark, Living Dead in Dallas, and From Dead to Worse.
- Aurora Teagarden series (1994–present) – over 30 titles, beginning with Real Murders.
- Harriet Blue series (1995–1998) – Harriet Blue, Book 1: The Trouble With a Small Town and subsequent volumes.
Charlaine Harris continues to write and publish new works, primarily within the mystery and fantasy genres.