Deschutes Public Library

Born and raised in Reno, Nevada, Willy Vlautin is both a songwriter and storyteller. He is the founder of the band Richmond Fontaine and has also published two novels, “The Motel Life” (2007) and “Northline” (2008).

“The Motel Life” is a hard luck story of two brothers living in motels in Reno, and has to date, been published in eleven countries. It won the Nevada Silver Pen Award in 2007 and made several top ten lists in the states and abroad. Vlautin’s second novel, “Northline”, is the heartbreaking tale of Allison Johnson, an alcoholic waitress who flees Las Vegas in search of a new beginning in Reno. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer says “Northline” heralds the emergence of a major realist talent”, and made the San Francisco Chronicle’s Top Ten Bestseller List. Film rights have been optioned, and Courtney Hunt, who directed “Frozen River”, is attached to adapt and direct “Northline”.

Vlautin founded the band Richmond Fontaine in 1994. The band has produced seven studio albums to date, plus a handful of live recordings and EP’s. Driven by Vlautin’s dark, story-like songwriting, the band has achieved critical acclaim at home and across Europe.

Vlautin currently resides in Scappoose, Oregon, and is working on Richmond Fontaine’s eighth album (2009) and his third novel (2010). An avid fan of horseracing, Vlautin can often be found writing behind a closed circuit monitor at Portland Meadows racetrack.

	The motel life : a novel Vlautin, Willy.
	Northline Vlautin, Willy.