about the author
Wendy McClure
Award-winning Author of The Wilder Life
Wendy McClure has been writing about her obsessions for nearly a decade. Her book The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie, is a funny, poignant account of her experience revisiting the novels of Laura Ingalls Wilder and retracing Wilder’s pioneer journeys. The Wilder Life was chosen for the Midwest Booksellers Choice Award as well as a Barnes & Noble Discover Selection. Wendy is a children’s book editor, the pop culture columnist for BUST Magazine, and has contributed to The New York Times Magazine, Glamour, and This American Life.
She grew up in Oak Park, Illinois and has an MFA in poetry from the Iowa Writer’s Workshop. She lives in Chicago with her husband, Chris.
Learn more about this speakerPress Links
"Nostalgia Fact-Check: How Does Little House on the Prairie Hold Up?"
Vulture
"Chicago Author Spotlight: Wendy McClure"
Chicagoist
"‘Little House’ Books Send Wendy McClure on Journey of Discovery"
Chicago Sun-Times
Writer Wendy McClure Pens Homage to 'Little House'"
Los Angeles Daily News
"An Author Returns To 'The Little House'"
NPR's All Things Considered
"What We're Reading"
NPR Books
"Laura Ingalls Wilder's Long Afterlife: An Interview With Wendy McClure"
The Atlantic
Wendy McClure Interview
Hairpin
The Wilder Life Review
Bookslut
Wendy McClure Interview
BlogHer
Featured Book
The Wilder Life
"The Wilder Life is a tribute to the Little House books that's both reverent and irreverent--in a thoughtful, hilarious way. I couldn't put it down."
—Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project
"Readers don't need to be Wilder fans to enjoy this funny and thoughtful guide to a romanticized version of the American expansion west."
—Publishers Weekly
Speaking Topics
- The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie
- Both Sides of the Desk: Writing and Publishing
View Topic Descriptions »
Speaking Topics — Wendy McClure
The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie
What happens when you return to the world of a favorite book, an old obsession, or a place from your childhood? Wendy addresses the major themes from her acclaimed memoir The Wilder Life and discusses how classic books like the Little House series touch our lives.
Both Sides of the Desk: Writing and Publishing
Wendy has experienced the writing life from a number of wildly different vantage points—among them MFA graduate, popular blogger, and longtime children’s book editor. She shares her varied knowledge for aspiring writers, with insights on rejection, inspiration, and pursuing literary dreams.
Testimonials
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"Fans of all ages will enjoy Wendy's informative presentation on Laura Ingalls Wilder...The audience at the Hoover Presidential Library enjoyed her delightful personality and pioneer spirit. She not only churned butter but the audience's funny bones." - Mary Evans, Hoover Presidential Library
Please contact us for booking requirements and availability.