Mississippi Writers and Musicians
MISSISSIPPI WRITERS: James Wilcox


James Wilcox James Wilcox at MUW, Oct. 15, 1999.  Photo by N. Jacobs

Major Works

  • Modern Baptists (1983)
  • North Gladiola (1985)
  • Miss Undine's Living Room (1987)
  • Sort of Rich (1989)
  • Polite Sex (1991)
  • Guest of a Sinner (1993)
  • Plain and Normal (1998)

View video of Wilcox discussing comedy coming from the absurdity of people trying to be autonomous.

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James Wilcox: A Biography
By Aaron Freeman (SHS)

James WilcoxJames Wilcox was born in Hammond, Louisiana in 1949. He went to school at Southeastern High School.  After that he went to Yale University. He graduated from Yale in 1971. His parents’ names are James H. Wilcox and Mary Wilcox.  His father taught at Southeastern University in Louisiana. Wilcox plays the French horn, and his mother played the oboe (interview). Wilcox has worked as an editor in several different publishing companies including  Random House and Doubleday. While working at  Random House, he met an editor named Richard Kot, who has published all of the  books Wilcox has written. (Sissom). These books include the following: Modern Baptists, North Gladiola, Miss Undine’s Living Room, Sort of  Rich,  Polite Sex, Guest of a Sinner, Plain and Normal. Wilcox is now teaching Creative Writing at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi,as writer-in-residence. He is part of the English Department on the MSU campus.

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Timeline

1949 - born in Hammond, Louisiana Modern Baptists by James Wilcox
1971 - graduated from Yale University
1983 - published Modern Baptists
1985 - published North Gladiola
1986 - got a Guggenheim
1987 - published Miss Undine’s Living Room
1989 - published Sort of Rich
1991 - published Polite Sex
1993 - published Guest of a Sinner
1998 - published Plain and Normal

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Interview with James Wilcox
by Aaron Freeman (SHS)

When were you born?
In 1949.

Where were you born?
Hammond, Louisiana.Aaron Freeman, SHS researcher.  Photo by N. Jacobs

Where did you go to high school?
Southeastern High School.

Where did you go to college?
Yale University, I graduated in 1971.

What are your parents’ names?
My father’s name is James H. Wilcox and my mother’s name is Mary Wilcox.

What made you decide to become a writer?
I liked reading,  and it was just something I always wanted to do.

Has living in Mississippi influenced your writing?
No, it may in the future though.

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Related WebsitesNorth Gladiola by James Wilcox

This website contains a picture and reviews of his books.

This website contains reviews of his book North Gladiola

This website contains reviews of his book Modern Baptists

This website contains reviews of his book Plain and Normal.

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Bibliography

Wilcox, James. Telephone interview. 23 Apr. 1999.

Sissoms, Kris. "Writer in residence to read from some of his works." Crossroads Weekly. Starkville, MS: N/A

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Last updated October 18, 1999
Copyright 1999
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