Gerald Shapiro

Born Kansas City, MO (USA)

Died 2011-10-15
Lincoln, NE (USA)

Gerald Shapiro was Cather Professor of English at the University of Nebraska. His work focused on creative writing and Jewish American fiction. He collaborated with actor and director Peter Riegert who directed and starred in the 2005 movie King of the Corner, based on Shapiro's book Bad Jews and Other Stories.

Bad Jews and Other Stories was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award for Fiction. His individual stories won numerous awards, including Special Mention awards from the Pushcart Press for two stories, Lakeview, and The Marine Mammal Guy.

His students included Timothy Schaffert, Lee Martin and Emily Danforth.

Places Lived

Lincoln

Author Of

Fiction

Keywords

Short stories; Novellas; Jewish American Fiction

Education

BA, 1972, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
MA, 1973, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
MFA, 1987, University of Massachusetts,

Occupation

Assistant Professor of English (Creative Writing
Shares a Split appointment with his wife, English Professor Judith Slater)

Places Worked

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Honors

Recepient of special mention award from Pushcart Press 1993
Received the Edward Lewis Wallant Award, 1994 (Given annually to the first book of fiction by a 'promising Jewish author')
Received $2,000 Merit Award from Nebraska Arts Counil, 1997
2006 Nebraska Arts Council Distinguished Artist Award ($5000) for fiction.

Associations

Married to University of Nebraska English Professor, Judith Slater.

Bibliography

From Hunger. 1993.
American Jewish Fiction. 1998. (editor)
Bad Jews and other stories. 1999
Little Men. 2004.

Co-screenwriter of the film King of the Corner.

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