Born and raised in Opelousas, Louisiana — in the northern part of Cajun country — Ken Wheaton is a journalist and author. His published novels include Sweet as Cane, Salty as Tears, Bacon & Egg Man, and The First Annual Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival.
After 20 years in New York, Wheaton now lives in Colorado with his wife Cara (also from Louisiana) and two tiny poodles. Formerly the Editor of Advertising Age, he’s been a Pushcart nominee for fiction and a winner of the Jesse H. Neal Awards for commentary. Wheaton is also a Cajun cook who will put his gumbo up against anyone’s. He’s also a certified barbecue judge.
Wheaton aspired to one day be a Navy pilot but was sidelined by bad eyesight and poor math skills. He graduated from Opelousas Catholic School in 1991 and went off to Southampton College-Long Island University in Southampton, New York, intending to study Marine Biology. An excess of drinking and (again) a dearth of math skills, led him to become an English major. From there he returned to Louisiana, where he received an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana-Lafayette).
While he lives in Colorado, most of his family, including 18-year-old son Nick, still live in Louisiana and he returns there frequently (and has the cholesterol levels to prove it).
He can be reached at ken.wheaton@gmail.com.
KEN WHEATON 
So can you get gumbo as you know it in Brooklyn? Or the city?
Hey Ken– somehow I came across an old email and then googled you- lo and behold , here you are.
I hope this finds you well; I miss your potato crack , that was some ‘n tasty ! piece and chicky grease to ya–jay frank
We’ll try your gumbo, and we’d love it if you’d try ours! We recently recorded an album for a trio called Gumbo up here in Oregon. These are some great guys who have been playing music for more than 40 years. It is an unusual risk to sign a band in their 50’s, but to me, they are worthy of the risk. Had I found your recipe before we released the album, I would have included it in the liner notes. I’ll let you know how your recipe worked out for us. Please let us know how you like our Gumbo, as well!
Kind Regards,
Kira
I have been reading your book and am enjoying the heck out of it. I think you have a great way with words and tell a good story. My husband found my outbursts of laughter annoying until I shared the passages with him. Dam you’re funny! Looking forward to your next book……..there is going to be a next book, right?
Thanks again for the Politiku. http://www.susannaspeier.com/politics/valentines-day-politiku/
(Linked to your blog also) Cool monkey pics, btw. No, I’m not kidding. And I’m not trying to be Sarah Silverman, either. Just that I geek out over animal stuff, big time. Thirteen Nature shows, stuff like that…
Hello Ken,
I am from Opelousas as well, are we related?
My Dad was Adolph Wheaton.
I am two chapters away from finishing your book. I LOVE IT. I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and all the characters in it. I’ve laughed and laughed. My sister loaned me the book but I have liked it so much I am going to have to go out and get my own copy!
“(soon-to-be) author”? I’d say you’re the real deal.
Guess I should update that.
I came across a reference to your book sort of randomly – sounds interesting. I’m also from Louisiana (Houma) and now live in NY.
Just finished reading The First Annual Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival..i am from canada..i have no knowledge of life in the south…the bayou..Cajun culture or priests(honest)..but i read a great deal..and i DO have knowledge about books…and what makes them stand out from the pack…i enjoyed TFAGPRF a great deal..and am hoping you will write another in the future..Any book with a character who uses the word fuck in all of its grammatical forms..gets my vote..Thanks for the laughs..!!!
a cultered canadian…and yes i know i do not capitalize words…..or put periods in..i like it that way..
sifl & olly!!!!!! 🙂 couldn’t find a video of the landlord in the dirty wifebeater, but chester rocks! 🙂
Many thanks for your book! I have to be selective about what I read these days as my eyesight is passing by the wayside. Your book was totally worth it and ive already passed it around. Perfect wit without the fluff, I love it.
Hi Ken,
I hear we share Peter as an editor at Kensington. He was saying great things about your book, enough that I’ve downloaded it and it’s second on my TBR pile. Since my first book came out in March and I’m about a year behind you in publication, if you ave some time, I’d love to hear your thoughts about sales, promotions, and stuff.
Lafayette here. Nice to see an author from the south doing so well. Gumbo is crucial. I hope you brought your roux making skills with you way up there.
Hey Ken, found myself in Grand Prairie today…for the first time in my life. Thanks to the book, I now associate it with, and only with, Ken Wheaton. Hope you’re doing well out westish. It always surprises me how far west Colorado isn’t when I look at a map.
Ran across, “Talking Funny, Louisiana Style,” today while at work in IL & it made me laugh out loud. So accurate. And after reading some of your blog, I wonder if we grew up in the same time & place 🙂 Keep writing. I’ll check out your latest book!