His novel The Automotive History of Lucky Kellerman was a selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club.
His writings have earned a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship and two O. Henry Awards.
[1] He was the Chair, Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Program at Antioch University Los Angeles.
Heller began teaching as an English instructor at Ponca City High School.
Although criticizing the ending, The New York Times called Lucky Kellerman a "quiet and often beautiful book".