Orrie Hitt (1917-1975) was a prolific author of paperback originals. Though known for steamy paperback novels published by houses like Kozy Books and Beacon-Signal, he crafted authentic portrayals of working-class life and social issues beneath the sensational covers. Despite writing racy books, Hitt was a family man who supported his wife and four kids working insurance and radio before turning to full-time writing in 1954. What set him apart from other authors was his brutal honesty about blue-collar American life, pitch-perfect dialogue, and characters that stick with you.