He is known for a series of Native-themed mystery novels and for his contributions to the then-fledgling field of Native American Studies.
He was also a professor of English and Native American studies, and frequently contributed articles, literary criticism and reviews to periodicals.
At the time of his death, he was professor of English and Native American studies, and the director of creative writing at the University of California, Davis.
Bone Game was selected by an independent panel of judges as the winner of the Julian J. Rothbaum Prize for the best book published by the University of Oklahoma Press in 1994.
"Grave Concerns Trickster Turns: The Novels of Louis Owens," Chris LaLonde, Univ.
Mixedbloods and Mystery: Crises of Identity in Two Native American Novels, Amy Lerman, Kishwaukee College, in Publication of the Illinois Philological Association.
Everything Matters : Autobiographical Essays by Native American Writers, Arnold Krupat & Brian Swann (Editors), Random House.
Native North American Literature: Biographical and Critical Information on Native Writers and Orators from the United States and Canada, Janet Witalec, Jeffery Chapman (Editors), Gale Research.