Mark (Richard) Smith

Born: 11/19/1935   Charlevoix , MI
Parents: Marcus Smith, Nellie Smith
Children: Heidi, Matje, Maida, Gudrun

Writings

Image Title Genre Audience Publisher Date
Smoke Street Fiction Adult New York : Morrow 1984
Doctor Blues Fiction Adult New York : Morrow 1983
The Delphinium Girl Fiction Adult New York : Harper 1980
The Moon Lamp Fiction Adult New York : Knopf 1976
The Death of the Detective
- Reprinted 2007, Northwestern University Press.
Fiction Adult New York : Knopf 1974
The Middleman
- Novel of a man caught between being tortured by his wife and torment from within plays up the native character of the inhabitants of Charlevoix.
Fiction , Michigan Adult Boston: Little, Brown 1967
Toyland
- Although the action takes place throughout northern Michigan, the Toyland setting is the warped minds of two hired killers. Jensen and Pehr are the evil men in this unusual novel of criminal guilt.
Fiction , Michigan Adult Boston : Little, Brown 1965
What is the aim or goal of your writing: Mark Smith has been called a "writers writer", whose existentialist novels examine themes related to the idea that "man is a being who defines himself through his actions in a meaningless indifferent and ultimately treacherous world". These ideas are evident in this first novel. Smith's transient youth provided fuel for his works; he was at various times a merchant marine, student poet, European traveler, and Boston bohemian artist before becoming a novelist and college professor. His novels often draw comparisons to Albert Camus for their existential vision, and to Charles Dickens for their characterization.

May inquiries be sent to you about doing workshops, readings: No

Donated books to the Authors & Illustrators database project: No

Skills:
Author

Education:

Degree Institution Location Date
Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) Calvin Seminary Grand Rapids , MI 1956

Career:

Position Organization Location Date
- Foster the vitality of the arts for everyone and help improve learning and enrichment for disadvantage children. Lila Wallace Foundation New York 1990
- Literature and Writing Awards Mrs. Giles Whiting Foundation Brooklyn 1985 -1988
Board of Directors
- Sponsored by University of Maryland
Associated Writing Programs College Park 1983 -1986
Advisor Rockefeller Foundation New York 1967 -1969
Professor
- Emeritus
University of New Hampshire Durham 1966
- Merchant Marine for 5 years, European traveler, poet, and bohem artist in Boston before publishing his first novel.

Other Resources:

Last Modified On: 6/23/2018 12:00:00 AM