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Kathy Acker

Bestselling Author • 5 Series • 42 Books

5
Series
42
Books
5
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Anthologies
Start with: Art After Modernism (1984)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
Start with: New York City in 1979 (1981)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Collections
Start with: Young Lust (1989)

About Kathy Acker

About Kathy Acker An experimental American novelist, the late Kathy Acker was a true visionary during her time, writing a great deal of work that was both profound and insightful. Pushing literature and prose to its furthest limits, she took the form into exciting and and fresh new arenas, making new discoveries all the time. This innovative approach to writing would see her become one of the most highly regarded authors within her field during her time. Setting new standards, many still attempt to replicate what she achieved to this day, trying to reach the heights that she did. Whether it was essays, screenplays, poetry, or novels, her work was always within a league of its own, both in terms of foresight and inventiveness. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Anthologies series, Kathy Acker has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.

📚 All Book Series by Kathy Acker

Publication Order of Portrait of an Eye Books
3 books 1973–1978
1

The Childlike Life of the Black Tarantula

The Childlike Life of the Black Tarantula is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Portrait of an Eye Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Kathy Acker have come to expect.

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1973
2

I Dreamt I Was a Nymphomaniac

I Dreamt I Was a Nymphomaniac is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Portrait of an Eye Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Kathy Acker have come to expect.

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1974
3

Adult Life of Toulouse Lautrec

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Portrait of an Eye Books with Adult Life of Toulouse Lautrec, another outstanding contribution from Kathy Acker.

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1978
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
15 books 1981–2002
1

New York City in 1979

New York City in 1979 is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Kathy Acker have come to expect.

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1981
2

Hello, I'm Erica Jong

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Hello, I'm Erica Jong, another outstanding contribution from Kathy Acker.

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1982
3

Great Expectations

Great Expectations is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Kathy Acker have come to expect.

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1982
4

Blood and Guts in High School

A gripping mystery unfolds in Blood and Guts in High School as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series showcases Kathy Acker's mastery of suspense.

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1984
5

Algeria

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Algeria, another outstanding contribution from Kathy Acker.

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1984
6

Don Quixote

Don Quixote continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Kathy Acker's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1986
7

Literal Madness

Literal Madness is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Kathy Acker have come to expect.

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1987
8

Empire of the Senseless

Empire of the Senseless continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Kathy Acker's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1988
9

In Memoriam to Identity

In Memoriam to Identity is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Kathy Acker have come to expect.

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1990
10

Kathy Goes To Haiti

Kathy Goes To Haiti continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Kathy Acker's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1990
11

My Mother

My Mother continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Kathy Acker's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1993
12

Pussycat Fever

Pussycat Fever continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Kathy Acker's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1995
13

Pussy, King of the Pirates

Pussy, King of the Pirates continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Kathy Acker's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1996
14

Eurydice in the Underworld

Eurydice in the Underworld is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Kathy Acker have come to expect.

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1998
15

Rip-Off Red, Girl Detective and the Burning Bombing of America

The investigation intensifies in Rip-Off Red, Girl Detective and the Burning Bombing of America, as this installment of the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series takes readers deeper into the criminal underworld of Kathy Acker's creation.

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2002
Publication Order of Collections
4 books 1989–2019
1

Young Lust

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Collections with Young Lust, another outstanding contribution from Kathy Acker.

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1989
2

Hannibal Lecter, My Father

Hannibal Lecter, My Father is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Kathy Acker have come to expect.

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1991
3

Bodies of Work: Essays

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Collections with Bodies of Work: Essays, another outstanding contribution from Kathy Acker.

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1996
4

Kathy Acker: Unpublished Early Writings

Kathy Acker: Unpublished Early Writings continues the Publication Order of Collections story arc with Kathy Acker's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2019
Publication Order of The Last Interview Books
1 books 2018–2018
1

Kathy Acker

Kathy Acker is an essential installment in the Publication Order of The Last Interview Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Kathy Acker have come to expect.

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2018
Publication Order of Anthologies
19 books 1984–2015
1

Art After Modernism

Art After Modernism is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Kathy Acker have come to expect.

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1984
2

Wordplays Five

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Wordplays Five, another outstanding contribution from Kathy Acker.

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1986
3

High Risk

High Risk continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Kathy Acker's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1991
4

Storming the Reality Studio

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Storming the Reality Studio, another outstanding contribution from Kathy Acker.

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1991
5

Fiction International 22

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Fiction International 22, another outstanding contribution from Kathy Acker.

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1992
6

Avant-Pop: Fiction for a Daydream Nation

Avant-Pop: Fiction for a Daydream Nation is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Kathy Acker have come to expect.

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1993
7

The Mammoth Book of Erotica

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with The Mammoth Book of Erotica, another outstanding contribution from Kathy Acker.

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1994
8

The Artist in Society

The Artist in Society continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Kathy Acker's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1995
9

Dust

Dust continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Kathy Acker's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1996
10

Rapid Eye

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Rapid Eye, another outstanding contribution from Kathy Acker.

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1996
11

Spectacular Optical

Spectacular Optical is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Kathy Acker have come to expect.

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1998
12

The Review Of Contemporary Fiction

The Review Of Contemporary Fiction continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Kathy Acker's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1999
13

The Good Parts

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with The Good Parts, another outstanding contribution from Kathy Acker.

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2000
14

Artspace Is/Artspace Was

Artspace Is/Artspace Was is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Kathy Acker have come to expect.

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2001
15

Essential Acker: The Selected Writings

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Essential Acker: The Selected Writings, another outstanding contribution from Kathy Acker.

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2002
16

Frozen Tears II

Frozen Tears II is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Kathy Acker have come to expect.

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2004
17

Against Expression

Against Expression continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Kathy Acker's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2010
18

The Penguin Book of Erotic Stories By Women

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with The Penguin Book of Erotic Stories By Women, another outstanding contribution from Kathy Acker.

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2012
19

Lost & Found

Lost & Found is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Kathy Acker have come to expect.

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2015

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Kathy Acker?

Kathy Acker is a bestselling author known for 5 book series containing over 42 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Portrait of an Eye Books, Publication Order of Standalone Novels, Publication Order of Collections. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Kathy Acker series to start with?

For readers new to Kathy Acker's work, the Publication Order of Anthologies series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 19 books. Begin with Art After Modernism to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Kathy Acker written?

Kathy Acker has written over 42 books across 5 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Kathy Acker books in order?

Yes, reading Kathy Acker's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.

What genre does Kathy Acker write in?

Kathy Acker writes primarily in fiction. With 5 series across 42 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Kathy Acker's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Kathy Acker's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.

What is Kathy Acker's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Kathy Acker's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Anthologies series. The first book, Art After Modernism, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.