Craig Johnson (author)


Craig Allen Johnson is an American author who writes mystery novels. He is best known for his Sheriff Walt Longmire novel series. The books are set in northern Wyoming, where Longmire is sheriff of the fictional county of Absaroka. The series debuted in 2004 and as of September 2019, Johnson has written 15 novels, two novellas, and many short stories featuring Longmire. Some of the novels have been on The New York Times Best Seller list. In 2012, Warner Horizon adapted the novels for a television series.
Johnson lives on a ranch he built in the small town of Ucross, Wyoming—population 25.

Career

Books

As of September 2019, Johnson has authored 21 books featuring Sheriff Walt Longmire. They have been translated into 14 languages and have won numerous awards, including the Nouvel Observateur Prix du Roman Noir and the SNCF Mystery of the Year.

TV adaptations

The former A&E TV series Longmire, based on Johnson's novels, premiered on June 3, 2012, with cast members Robert Taylor, Katee Sackhoff, Lou Diamond Phillips, Bailey Chase, Adam Bartley, A Martinez, Zahn McClarnon, and John Bishop. Longmire debuted as A&E's number-one original-series premiere of all time with 4.1 million total viewers. All existing episodes are now available to view on Netflix; seasons four to six were made for Netflix after A&E had cancelled the series. Longmire is filmed in New Mexico. The sixth and final season was released in 2017 on Netflix.

Influence

The success of Johnson's novels is celebrated in an annual festival, called Longmire Day, held in the small town of Buffalo, Wyoming, the real-life inspiration for the series' fictional setting. Close to 12,000 people attend the festival each year, including the author, many of the actors from the TV series, and the publishers and producers.

Personal life

Craig Johnson grew up in Huntington, WV, and attended college at Marshall University.
Johnson lives in Ucross, Wyoming, with his wife Judy.