Writer, journalist, educator
David W. Berner is a best-selling and award-winning writer. He has been honored as the Writer-in-Residence at the Jack Kerouac Project and at the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Home. His books have been recognized by the Society of Midland Authors, the Chicago Writers Association, and the Eric Hoffer Book Awards. David writes from his writing shed on his property outside Chicago.
David W. Berner is the author of two novels, and six works or memoir, including the award-winning A Well-Respected Man, Accidental Lessons and Any Road Will Take You There.
Things Behind the Sun
A novel
"Emphatic exploration of fate, family, and finding one's way."
—Claire Lombardo, The Most Fun We Ever Had
"5 out of 5 stars. An author who knows how to explore the workings of the inner mind."
—Goodreads Review
"I loved this story, and I loved the characters" — Amazon Review
"A captivating exploration of identity." —Windy City Reviews
"Powerful and emotionally charged...lyrical and moving." —Veryan Willaims-Wynn, The Spirit Trap
Adelaide Book, NY
Walks with Sam
A Man, a Dog, and a Season of Awakening
Roundfire Books, UK
"A timeless phenomenon splendidly explored and revealed in his wise and insightful Walks with Sam, a moving memoir about how a young dog can teach an old man new tricks about mindfulness and presence. Hard to remember when I've enjoyed a walk with two friends more."
—James Dodson, New York Times best-selling author of Faithful Travelers and Final Rounds.
"Berner’s plainspoken manner reveals moments of true enlightenment. Dog lovers and spiritualists will adore this."
—Publishers Weekly.
"A heartwarming read...immensely satisfying"
— International Review of Books
MORE BOOKS
THINGS BEHIND THE SUN
Five-Star Reviews
THE CONSEQUENCE OF STARS
Award Winner
A WELL-RESPECTED MAN
Award Winner
OCTOBER SONG
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New Edition
Award Winner
Award Winner
Award Winner
E-Journal
MEDIA
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SAN FRANCISCO BOOK REVIEW
Things Behind the Sun
"That rare combination of involving story with philosophical questions of how we travel through life "
N.N. LIGHT REVIEWS
"This book shines as a stunning modern Kerouac. Written by a gifted author, this book simply flows like a river running its natural course."
Thomas E. Kennedy, author of The Copenhagen Quartet
"David W. Berner has given us a beautiful, elegantly written book in the tradition of To Sir With Love."
Lin Brehmer, WXRT
"Night Radio is as irresistible as those old records we played."
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
A Well-Respected Man
Honoree: Society of Midland Authors, 2019
"Absorbing. Love, loss, and transformation are common themes in novels but they assume more literary proportions under David W. Berner's approach, which winds messages about choice, consequences, and wider-ranging life changes into a saga of male and female interactions and perceptions."
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MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
The Consequence of Stars
"A vivid approach to the memoir form that almost defies the typical self-focused nature of the genre."
WINDY CITY REVIEWS
"Lyrically written with earthy language, Berner shares intimate details of a life seeking and understanding his place 'to be'"
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WINDY CITY REVIEWS
October Song
Royal Dragonfly Award Winner
"October Song is a beautifully authentic memoir that reminds us that there are no time limits on dreams, creativity is boundless, and nothing in life is finite."
Rick Kogan, WGN Radio
"Accidental Lessons is a terrific memoir."
Chicago Book Review
"Berner's Night Radio is lyrical, philosophical, poetic."
Janna Marlies Maron, editor/publisher, Under the Gum Tree
"Any Road Will Take You There—a Chicago Writers Association Book of the Year—is honest, raw, shameless. If On the Road is for a generation lost, Berner's book is for a generation looking to be found."
AWARDS
Society of Midland Authors, 2019, Adult Fiction Honoree
Independent Author Network, 2019, Finalist, Literary/General Fiction
A Well-Respected Man
American Book Fest, Book of the Year Finalist, 2017
October Song
Eric Hoffer Book Award, Grand Prize Finalist, 2019
Any Road Will Take You There
Chicago Writers Association, Book of the Year Award, 2013
Any Road Will Take You There.
Royal Dragonfly Grand Prize for Literature
October Song, 2015
Accidental Lessons, 2011
Chicago Book Review—Best Books of Year, 2015
There's a Hamster in the Dashboard
BIO
David W. Berner is a memoirist, essayist, fiction writer, and journalist. His memoirs reflect on our collective relationships and how those experiences link us to the world we share. David's stories are about fathers and sons, the redemptive power of road trips, travel, music, and the sage-like connections we share with pets.
David was born in Pittsburgh, PA and now lives in the Chicago area. Along with his writing credentials, David has had a distinguished career as a broadcast journalist, reporting for the CBS Radio Network, WBBM Radio Chicago, and public radio outlets throughout America.
David's MEDIUM publication, THE WRITER SHED includes regular posts on writing and the creative process.
David is the recipient of honors and awards from The Society of Midland Authors, The Chicago Writers Association, and the Eric Hoffer Book Awards. He has been the Writer-in-Residence for the Jack Kerouac Project in Orlando, where he was privileged to live and work at the Kerouac House for two-and-a-half months. He later was honored as the Writer-in-Residence at the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Home in Oak Park, Illinois.
New Events in 2021.
CONTACT
Blog: Walks with Sam
