Spike Van Cleve

About the Author

Spike Van Cleve is a master storyteller whose narratives weave the raw essence of the American heartland into tales of resilience, regret, and redemption. Born and raised in the dusty plains of Oklahoma, Van Cleve draws from a lifetime of wandering jobs—from ranch hand to oil rig worker—to craft characters that feel as real as the sweat on your brow. His debut novel, A Day Late and a Dollar Short, captured the struggles of a family teetering on the edge of ruin during the Great Recession, earning praise for its unflinching honesty and vivid dialogue. In Forty Years' Gatherin's, he chronicles the episodic life of a nomadic collector of stories, blending humor with poignant reflections on time's relentless march. With a voice honed by years of oral traditions passed down through generations, Van Cleve continues to explore the human condition, reminding readers that every setback is just another chapter in an unfinished saga.