Doug Worgul
Encyclopedia
Doug Worgul is an American
writer
and editor
based in Kansas City
.
Worgul was raised mostly in Lansing, Michigan
, the oldest of three siblings. He graduated from J.W. Sexton High School in 1971. He attended Gordon College (Massachusetts)
from 1971-1972. He graduated from Western Michigan University
in 1976 with a B.A.
in political science
, and again in 1977 with a M.A.
in education, with an emphasis on the teaching of reading.
Worgul moved to Kansas City
in 1989 and has worked for the Kansas City Star newspaper as a book and features editor and editor of Kansas City Star Magazine. He was also editor of Kansas City Magazine. Prior to his work as a journalist, Worgul was a social worker and an advertising and marketing consultant. He is currently the director of marketing at Oklahoma Joe's BBQ in Kansas City, named by Anthony Bourdain
as one of the "Thirteen Places to Eat Before You Die."
A nationally recognized authority on the history and cultural significance of American barbecue
traditions, Worgul's first novel, Thin Blue Smoke, set in a fictional barbecue joint in Kansas City
, is a story of love, loss, despair, redemption, squandered gifts, second chances, whiskey, God, and the secret language of rabbits. It was was published by Macmillan Publishers
in 2009. Thin Blue Smoke is distributed in the United States, by Trafalgar Square Publishing. A strong sense of place permeates Worgul's writing. His writing has been compared to that of John Irving
, Richard Russo
, and Frederick Buechner
.
Worgul has four daughters and three grandsons. He lives in Leawood, Kansas
with his wife.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
based in Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
.
Worgul was raised mostly in Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
, the oldest of three siblings. He graduated from J.W. Sexton High School in 1971. He attended Gordon College (Massachusetts)
Gordon College (Massachusetts)
Gordon College is a liberal arts college located on the former Princemere estate in Wenham, Massachusetts, northeast of Beverly. Founded by Baptist minister A. J...
from 1971-1972. He graduated from Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University is a public university located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1903 by Dwight B. Waldo, and as of the Fall 2010 semester, its enrollment is 25,045....
in 1976 with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
, and again in 1977 with a M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in education, with an emphasis on the teaching of reading.
Worgul moved to Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
in 1989 and has worked for the Kansas City Star newspaper as a book and features editor and editor of Kansas City Star Magazine. He was also editor of Kansas City Magazine. Prior to his work as a journalist, Worgul was a social worker and an advertising and marketing consultant. He is currently the director of marketing at Oklahoma Joe's BBQ in Kansas City, named by Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Michael "Tony" Bourdain is an American chef, author and television personality. He is well known for his 2000 book Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, and is the host of Travel Channel's culinary and cultural adventure program Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.A...
as one of the "Thirteen Places to Eat Before You Die."
A nationally recognized authority on the history and cultural significance of American barbecue
Barbecue
Barbecue or barbeque , used chiefly in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia is a method and apparatus for cooking meat, poultry and occasionally fish with the heat and hot smoke of a fire, smoking wood, or hot coals of...
traditions, Worgul's first novel, Thin Blue Smoke, set in a fictional barbecue joint in Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, is a story of love, loss, despair, redemption, squandered gifts, second chances, whiskey, God, and the secret language of rabbits. It was was published by Macmillan Publishers
Macmillan Publishers
Macmillan Publishers Ltd, also known as The Macmillan Group, is a privately held international publishing company owned by Georg von Holtzbrinck Publishing Group. It has offices in 41 countries worldwide and operates in more than thirty others.-History:...
in 2009. Thin Blue Smoke is distributed in the United States, by Trafalgar Square Publishing. A strong sense of place permeates Worgul's writing. His writing has been compared to that of John Irving
John Irving
John Winslow Irving is an American novelist and Academy Award-winning screenwriter.Irving achieved critical and popular acclaim after the international success of The World According to Garp in 1978...
, Richard Russo
Richard Russo
Richard Russo is an American novelist, short story writer, screenwriter, and teacher.-Early life and education:Russo was born in Johnstown, New York, and raised in nearby Gloversville...
, and Frederick Buechner
Frederick Buechner
Frederick Buechner is an American writer and theologian. Born July 11, 1926 in New York City, he is an ordained Presbyterian minister and the author of more than thirty published books thus far. His work encompasses different genres, including fiction, autobiography, essays and sermons, and his...
.
Worgul has four daughters and three grandsons. He lives in Leawood, Kansas
Leawood, Kansas
Leawood is a city in Johnson County, Kansas, United States. The city is a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri and is part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 31,867.-History:...
with his wife.
Non-Fiction
- A Table Full of Welcome (Kansas City Star Books, 2002)
- The Grand Barbecue: A Celebration of the History, Places, Personalities and Techniques of Kansas City Barbecue (Kansas City Star Books, 2001)
- Kansas City Quiltmakers: Portraits & Patterns (Kansas City Star Books, 2001)