Before writing professionally, Guterson worked as a teacher for 10 years at Bainbridge High School.[1] During that time he began having stories and essays published in small magazines and periodicals, and eventually sold pieces to Esquire, Sports Illustrated and Harper's Magazine.[2] His first book, The Country Ahead of Us, the Country Behind (1989) is a collection of short stories set mostly in the Pacific Northwest.[5] His second book, Family Matters: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense (1992) contains essays on family and education.[1]
Guterson's freelance journalism included articles on environmental issues, travel writing and human interest features.[6]
Guterson married his wife Robin when he was 23. They live on Bainbridge Island in Puget Sound[14][15] and have five children and three grandchildren.[3] He is a co-founder of Field's End, an organization for writers.[16]
Bibliography
The Country Ahead of Us, the Country Behind: Stories (1989)[5]
Family Matters: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense (Non-fiction) (1992)[1]
^Local authors, Bainbridge Public Library, March 26, 2011, archived from the original on 2012-01-19, retrieved 2012-01-25
^"2007 Island Treasure Award", bainbridgeartshumanities.org/, Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council, archived from the original on 30 December 2014, retrieved 30 December 2014
^"Our History". www.fieldsend.org. Field's End. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2014.