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ⓘ About William S. Burroughs
William S. Burroughs was an American noted published author of fictional novels. He was born on February 5, 1914 and passed away on August 2, 1997. He also went by the name William Lee. The ‘S’ in his name stands for Seward. He was born one of two sons to his father Mortimer Perry Burroughs and his wife, Laura Hamon Lee. They lived in St. Louis, Missouri. His grandfather William Seward Burroughs with whom he shared the same name had founded a company called the Burroughs Adding Machine company, which would later be known as the Burroughs Corporation. His brother Ivy Lee would work in advertising and then later as a publicist. Mortimer ran a gift shop that featured antiques in St. Louis and then Palm Beach, Florida when the family moved there. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Anthologies series, William S. Burroughs 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 William S. Burroughs
The Soft Machine
The Soft Machine continues the Publication Order of Nova Trilogy Books story arc with William S. Burroughs's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Ticket That Exploded
The Ticket That Exploded continues the Publication Order of Nova Trilogy Books story arc with William S. Burroughs's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Nova Express
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Nova Trilogy Books with Nova Express, another outstanding contribution from William S. Burroughs.
Cities of the Red Night
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Red Night Trilogy Books with Cities of the Red Night, another outstanding contribution from William S. Burroughs.
The Place of Dead Roads
A gripping mystery unfolds in The Place of Dead Roads as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Red Night Trilogy Books series showcases William S. Burroughs's mastery of suspense.
The Western Lands
The Western Lands continues the Publication Order of Red Night Trilogy Books story arc with William S. Burroughs's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Naked Lunch
Naked Lunch is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William S. Burroughs have come to expect.
Dead Fingers Talk
A gripping mystery unfolds in Dead Fingers Talk as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series showcases William S. Burroughs's mastery of suspense.
The Wild Boys
The Wild Boys is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William S. Burroughs have come to expect.
The Last Words of Dutch Schultz
The Last Words of Dutch Schultz continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with William S. Burroughs's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Port of Saints
Port of Saints continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with William S. Burroughs's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Book of Breeething / Ah Pook is Here
The Book of Breeething / Ah Pook is Here is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William S. Burroughs have come to expect.
Queer
Queer is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William S. Burroughs have come to expect.
Blade Runner
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas with Blade Runner, another outstanding contribution from William S. Burroughs.
The Cat Inside
The Cat Inside continues the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas story arc with William S. Burroughs's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Ghost of Chance
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas with Ghost of Chance, another outstanding contribution from William S. Burroughs.
Seven Deadly Sins
A gripping mystery unfolds in Seven Deadly Sins as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas series showcases William S. Burroughs's mastery of suspense.
Death Fiend Guerrillas
A gripping mystery unfolds in Death Fiend Guerrillas as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas series showcases William S. Burroughs's mastery of suspense.
The Finger
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas with The Finger, another outstanding contribution from William S. Burroughs.
The Electronic Revolution
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Collections with The Electronic Revolution, another outstanding contribution from William S. Burroughs.
Ali's Smile & Naked Scientology
Ali's Smile & Naked Scientology is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William S. Burroughs have come to expect.
Tornado Alley
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Collections with Tornado Alley, another outstanding contribution from William S. Burroughs.
Roosevelt After Inauguration and Other Atrocities
Roosevelt After Inauguration and Other Atrocities continues the Publication Order of Collections story arc with William S. Burroughs's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
A William Burroughs Reader
A William Burroughs Reader continues the Publication Order of Collections story arc with William S. Burroughs's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Burroughs File
The Burroughs File is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William S. Burroughs have come to expect.
The Adding Machine
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Collections with The Adding Machine, another outstanding contribution from William S. Burroughs.
Interzone
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Collections with Interzone, another outstanding contribution from William S. Burroughs.
Painting and Guns
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Collections with Painting and Guns, another outstanding contribution from William S. Burroughs.
My Education
My Education continues the Publication Order of Collections story arc with William S. Burroughs's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Word Virus
Word Virus is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William S. Burroughs have come to expect.
Come in with the Dutchman
Come in with the Dutchman is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Plays series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William S. Burroughs have come to expect.
Cobble Stone Gardens
Cobble Stone Gardens is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William S. Burroughs have come to expect.
Lasers
Lasers continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with William S. Burroughs's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Olympia Reader: An Anthology of Erotic & Literary Classics
The Olympia Reader: An Anthology of Erotic & Literary Classics continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with William S. Burroughs's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Scenes Along the Road: Photographs of the Desolation Angels, 1944-1960
Scenes Along the Road: Photographs of the Desolation Angels, 1944-1960 is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William S. Burroughs have come to expect.
High Risk
High Risk continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with William S. Burroughs's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Semiotext SF
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Semiotext SF, another outstanding contribution from William S. Burroughs.
Storming the Reality Studio
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Storming the Reality Studio, another outstanding contribution from William S. Burroughs.
Confederacy of the Dead
A gripping mystery unfolds in Confederacy of the Dead as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series showcases William S. Burroughs's mastery of suspense.
The Starry Wisdom: A Tribute to H.P. Lovecraft
The Starry Wisdom: A Tribute to H.P. Lovecraft explores the depths of love and connection in this compelling entry of the Publication Order of Anthologies series by William S. Burroughs.
Rebels & Devils: The Psychology of Liberation
Rebels & Devils: The Psychology of Liberation continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with William S. Burroughs's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Rapid Eye
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Rapid Eye, another outstanding contribution from William S. Burroughs.
Writing New York
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Writing New York, another outstanding contribution from William S. Burroughs.
Timothy Leary: Outside Looking In
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Timothy Leary: Outside Looking In, another outstanding contribution from William S. Burroughs.
The Portable Sixties Reader
The Portable Sixties Reader continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with William S. Burroughs's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Harvard Psychedelic Club
The Harvard Psychedelic Club is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William S. Burroughs have come to expect.
This is NOT an Anthology
This is NOT an Anthology continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with William S. Burroughs's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Gray Barker's Bigfoot Shootout! Terrifying Tales of Interspecies Conflict
Gray Barker's Bigfoot Shootout! Terrifying Tales of Interspecies Conflict continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with William S. Burroughs's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Lost & Found
Lost & Found is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William S. Burroughs have come to expect.
? Frequently Asked Questions
Who is William S. Burroughs?
William S. Burroughs is a bestselling author known for 8 book series containing over 49 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Nova Trilogy Books, Publication Order of Red Night Trilogy Books, Publication Order of Standalone Novels. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.
What is the best William S. Burroughs series to start with?
For readers new to William S. Burroughs's work, the Publication Order of Anthologies series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 16 books. Begin with The Olympia Reader: An Anthology of Erotic & Literary Classics to start from the very beginning.
How many books has William S. Burroughs written?
William S. Burroughs has written over 49 books across 8 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.
Should I read William S. Burroughs books in order?
Yes, reading William S. Burroughs'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 William S. Burroughs write in?
William S. Burroughs writes primarily in fiction. With 8 series across 49 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.
Are William S. Burroughs's books standalone or must they be read as a series?
Most of William S. Burroughs'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 William S. Burroughs's most popular book?
Based on reader reviews and sales data, William S. Burroughs's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Anthologies series. The first book, The Olympia Reader: An Anthology of Erotic & Literary Classics, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.