Excellence in Artistic Activity
Excellence in Artistic Activity
Dayne Sherman
Assistance Professor of Library Science and Reference Librarian
Although still relatively early in his career as a writer, Dayne Sherman has already earned recognition and critical acclaim for his stories about life in his fictitious “Baxter Parish.”
After admittedly struggling through high school, he graduated from Southeastern, received a graduate degree in Library and Information Science from Louisiana State University, then returned to Southeastern to work for Student Support Services and Talent Search from 1999-2001. Taking advantage of the university’s tuition exemption for employees, he enrolled in English graduate courses taught by Tim Gautreaux, himself an award winning writer and now writer in residence at Southeastern. Under Gautreaux’s tutelage, Sherman says, his “voice” became audible and the possibility of a writing career seemed a reality.
His first novel, Welcome to the Fallen Paradise, was published last year and earned critical acclaim, being called “a spirited and engaging tale” by Publisher’s Weekly, a “Best Debut” by The Times-Picayune, and one of the Best Crime Novel Debuts of the Year by Booklist. Within two months of its first printing, the novel sold out, requiring a second printing.
Sherman is currently at work on his second novel and a new collection of short stories.
