Daniel Kraus, an Evanston-based novelist recently awarded the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, continues to demonstrate a relentless creative drive following his acclaimed work “Angel Down.” The novel, set amid the brutal battlefields of World War I France, is noted for its vivid and unsettling imagery, capturing the horrors of war through a continuous, immersive narrative style.

Kraus, 50, describes his writing process as inexhaustible, noting that he rarely experiences writer’s block. Instead, he feels constrained by the limited time he has to produce all the stories he envisions. “I have so many books I want to write,” he said in a recent interview. His prolific career spans over three decades, with 28 published titles ranging from horror and science fiction to young adult fiction. He has also collaborated with filmmaker Guillermo del Toro on two novels, including one that inspired the Oscar-winning film “The Shape of Water.”

“Angel Down” follows a group of five U.S. Army soldiers tasked with silencing the eerie shriek of a wounded comrade deep within the underground trenches, only to discover a mysterious angel trapped in barbed wire. Kraus explains that the angel serves as a narrative device akin to zombies in classic horror or characters in “The Twilight Zone”—a catalyst that exposes the inner turmoil of the characters involved.

Kraus’ affinity for horror traces back to his childhood in Fairfield, Iowa, where the genre offered a means of coping with fear and isolation. He credits films like “Night of the Living Dead” and “The Twilight Zone” as formative influences that helped him master anxiety through storytelling.

Currently, Kraus maintains a busy schedule in the aftermath of his Pulitzer win, acknowledging that the recognition has dramatically changed his life. Despite a newfound level of public attention, he remains grounded, living in Evanston with his wife, a teacher. He frequents local spots such as Reprise Coffee Roasters and Sketchbook Brewing Company but rarely encounters public recognition.

Looking ahead, Kraus shows no intention of slowing his creative output. His upcoming novel, “The Sixth Nik,” is set for release on June 23 and marks a departure into pure science fiction. Described by Kraus as his most disturbing and stylistically distinct work to date, the novel promises to challenge readers’ expectations following his Pulitzer Prize achievement. “If people worried I was softening at all, this will set them straight,” he said.

Kraus will appear at the American Writers Festival in Chicago on June 7, sharing a stage with author Susan Orlean to discuss cinematic adaptations of their work. The event is part of a two-day gathering of some 90 writers at the American Writers Museum and the Harold Washington Library Center.