Poppy Z. Brite

The author of eight novels, three short story collections, two nonfiction books, and some miscellanea. Her earlier books -- LOST SOULS, DRAWING BLOOD, WORMWOOD, EXQUISITE CORPSE, THE LAZARUS HEART, ARE YOU LOATHSOME TONIGHT? (a.k.a. SELF-MADE MAN) -- tend toward the twisted, horrific, and frequently erotic. She still has a definite interest in this sort of thing, but her writing doesn't reflect it as much these days. Recent books -- THE VALUE OF X, THE DEVIL YOU KNOW, LIQUOR, PRIME, and SOUL KITCHEN -- all have to do (in varying degrees) with a couple of young New Orleans chefs named Rickey and G-man, their families, and their restaurant, Liquor. She lost her home in Hurricane Katrina, but is back in New Orleans and doing their best to help rebuild the city.