Stephen Gutierrez writes third book, features stories of his growing up in LA, Fresno

• June 5, 2014 9:00am

Stephen D. Gutierrez, a member of the Cal State East Bay English Department faculty since 1992, has written his third book -- this one featuring stories about his Mexican-American heritage and about growing up in Los Angeles and Fresno.

"The Mexican Man in His Backyard," describes his life growing up in southern and central California through series of stories and essays, some of which had been written earlier by the 54-year-old Gutierrez. It was published by Roan Press in 2014 and is available at bookstores and through Amazon.com.

He has earned glowing accolades for his latest book from fellow authors.

"Stephen Gutierrez captures the mood, language and unexplainable sadness of places we all know," said Alejandro Murguia, award-winning author of "This War Called Love."

Mariah Young, author of Masha'allah and other stories, said: "Gutierrez reveals beauty in both benign moments and terrifying truths. These stories swagger, shimmer, shake and shout -- they will make you laugh as they break your heart."

Earlier published works by Gutierrez are "Elements," winner of the Nilon Award (FC2), and "Live from Fresno y Los," winner of an American Book Award sponsored by the Before Columbus Foundation. The longtime English professor said "The Mexican Man in His Backyard" completes his trilogy of essays and stories.

In addition to his earlier stories and essays for magazines and anthologies, Gutierrez also has produced plays both in the San Francisco Bay Area and in upstate New York.

He and his wife Jacqueline Doyle, also a writer and CSUEB professor of English, have a grown son, Benjamin. They reside in the East Bay region.

More information about the career of Stephen Gutierrez and his written works is available online.

-- Barry Zepel