David Sedaris (1957- ) has fast become an iconic figure among today's literary humorists. Legions of his readers wait patiently for the publication of his books, essays and plays. Millions tune into National Public Radio's This American Life to listen to his original pieces that he delivers with a knowing wit, modesty and charm. Each year Sedaris tours college campuses and music hall venues across the nation that are attended by sold-out, standing-room-only crowds. They come to hear his essays and comical musings on his family life and childhood in Raleigh, North Carolina that seem to speak to generations across the age spectrum. He is a wonderful master of self-deprecating humor and that may very well be at the core of what makes him such a funny, successful and popular writer.

His entrance into the literary world began with a collection of essays and short fiction with Barrel Fever (1994).   The pieces found in this book highlight some of his hilarious stories working odd jobs, especially his experiences working as an elf at Macys found in the SantaLand Diaries essay that were first shared on National Public Radio. This would later become a play and the foundation for his book Holidays on Ice (1997). Both books would become bestsellers as well as those that followed including Naked (1997), Me Talk Pretty One Day (2000) and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim (2004).

Not surprisingly, Sedaris was named "Humorist of the Year" in 2001 by Time magazine. He was also awarded the "Thurber Prize for American Humor" in the same year for Me Talk Pretty One Day. These awards were followed by Grammy Nominations in 2005 for Best Spoken Album for Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim and for Best Comedy Album for David Sedaris: Live at Carnegie Hall.

If the Sedaris name sounds familiar, David is the brother of the very talented Amy Sedaris who has co-authored many of his plays.

Click here to see what David Sedaris titles are held by the Escondido Public Library.

Selected Plays

• Jamboree, produced at Theatre for the New City (New York, NY), 1991.

• One Woman Shoe, produced at La MaMA with sister Amy Sedaris as The Talent Family (New York, NY), 1995.

• The SantaLand Diaries, produced off-Broadway with Joe Mantello, 1996.

• The Book of Liz, produced at Greenwich House Theatre with Amy Sedaris, as The Talent family (New York, NY, 2001), Dramatists Play Service (New York, NY), 2002.

On the Web

• Upcoming David Sedaris appearances
   
• NPR - David Sedaris: Selected pieces from writer and commentator
   
• Wikipedia article on David Sedaris
   
• David Sedaris on Letterman video: reading his essay about the Stadium Pal.