Elba Kramer by Steve Goldsmith | Motivated Savages

Elba Kramer

Elba Kramer: The True Autobiography of a Pathological Liar

by Steve Goldsmith

Elba Kramer finds truth by living lies.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Elba Kramer tells the story of his first seventeen years the only way he knows how: through a mask. From a childhood spent dodging the heavy truths of small-town America to the pivotal moment he dropped out, became a father, and sought refuge in the military—this is a life lived in the blur between memory and invention.

Written as an autobiographical novel, this story reaches for an emotional honesty that only a pseudonym could provide. It is a memoir built on a paradox: that sometimes, we have to lie about our names to tell the truth about our lives.

Told in a voice that’s by turns funny, furious, and disarmingly tender, Elba Kramer invites you to wander the landscape of a jagged youth. It is a story where every exaggeration hides a secret, and every truth has teeth.

A Note from the Author: I wrote this book under the name Elba Kramer because I found it impossible to tell the story as myself. While the name on the cover is a fabrication, the experiences within—from birth to my seventeenth year—are 97% true. This is the story of how I became a man, a father, an airman, an officer, and a writer… told through the only lens that allowed me to be completely honest. It is a confession disguised as a lie.


Book Details:

  • Genre: Literary Fiction
  • Format: Paperback, eBook


Discover Your Next Great Indie Read

We’re building a reader-first space for discovering thoughtful, independent books across genres.

If you love finding new authors, hearing about fresh reads, and supporting indie voices, this is for you.

We keep this low key, intentional, and worth your time. Please use your main email, not a junk inbox.

← Back

You’re in. Welcome to the reading circle!

Thank you for joining. You’re officially part of the Motivated Savages reading community. We’ll share new indie discoveries, reader favorites, and occasional spotlights worth your time. Nothing noisy. Nothing spammy. If you’d like to join the conversation, you’re also welcome in our reader group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14TjgEPZZ1g/ Pull up a chair. We’re glad you’re here.

Shopping Cart
Scroll to Top