Picture a Southern storyteller who spun tales of suspense and founded a global storytelling phenomenon—meet George Dawes Green! A New York Times bestselling author and the visionary behind The Moth, Green crafts novels that blend dark humor, gripping suspense, and sharp insights into human nature. From his Edgar Award-winning debut to his latest chilling mystery, his Georgia roots infuse every page with a haunting, Southern Gothic charm.
Born in 1954, Green has made his mark as a literary voice who peels back society’s layers to reveal its hidden truths. Whether through his novels or The Moth’s stage, his storytelling captivates, challenges, and invites readers to explore the complexities of the human experience.
The Making of George Dawes Green
Growing up in Georgia, George Dawes Green was steeped in the South’s rich storytelling tradition. Hot summer nights spent on porches, listening to tales of family and history, shaped his narrative sensibility. His mother, a proud Savannahian, traced their lineage back eight generations, embedding a deep connection to the region’s beauty and darkness. After a rebellious youth—dropping out of high school at 15 to hitchhike to New York—Green found his calling in writing, blending his Southern heritage with a keen eye for human quirks.
Before novels, Green explored poetry, publishing in literary journals like The Ontario Review. But it was his leap into fiction and founding The Moth in 1997 that cemented his legacy. Inspired by those Georgia porches, The Moth became a platform for raw, personal stories, now a global phenomenon with podcasts, live events, and a Peabody Award-winning radio hour.
George Dawes Green’s Unforgettable Stories
Green’s novels are masterclasses in suspense, laced with dark humor and Southern Gothic flair. His debut, The Caveman’s Valentine (1994), follows Romulus Ledbetter, a homeless Juilliard graduate battling a sinister conspiracy. The novel won an Edgar Award and was adapted into a film starring Samuel L. Jackson. Its blend of comic and chilling tones set the stage for Green’s signature style.
The Juror (1995) is a tense thriller about a single mother entangled in a mob trial, translated into over 20 languages and adapted into a movie with Demi Moore and Alec Baldwin. Ravens (2009), set in Georgia, is a “psycho-comedic thrill-ride” hailed by the Los Angeles Times as a triumphant return. His latest, The Kingdoms of Savannah (2022), is a Southern noir mystery uncovering Savannah’s dark history through the eyes of doyenne Morgana Musgrove. Green’s prose—lush yet sharp—explores themes of corruption, class, and the shadows of history.
Known for his ability to balance humor with horror, Green’s characters, like the imperious Morgana or the paranoid Romulus, are vivid and unforgettable. His stories don’t just entertain; they probe the underbelly of society, making readers question the stories we tell ourselves.
Why George Dawes Green Matters
George Dawes Green’s impact extends beyond the page. Through The Moth, he’s elevated storytelling to an art form, fostering empathy and connection across cultures. His novels, meanwhile, redefine Southern Gothic, blending suspense with social critique. By unearthing hidden histories—like Savannah’s ties to slavery in The Kingdoms of Savannah—Green challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths while keeping them hooked with masterful pacing.
His work resonates because it’s both thrilling and thought-provoking, a rare alchemy that’s earned him critical acclaim and a devoted following. As a storyteller, Green doesn’t just write—he listens, weaving the voices of his South into narratives that linger long after the final page.
- Born: 1954 in Georgia
- Key Works: The Caveman’s Valentine, The Juror, Ravens, The Kingdoms of Savannah
- Awards: Edgar Award (1995), Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger (2023)
- Founded: The Moth (1997), a global storytelling platform
About George Dawes Green
Snag The Kingdoms of Savannah and dive into George Dawes Green’s thrilling Southern noir—you won’t look at storytelling the same way again!