I was born in Detroit and live less than four miles away from the house I was raised in. I graduated from the University of Michigan with a masters degree in theater. "That," my father used to instruct me, "and a quarter will buy you a cup of coffee." I had expensive taste in coffee, however, so I went to work for an advertising agency. Eventually, I spent 21 years at J. Walter Thompson, where I held the rather impressive title of Executive Vice President, Executive Creative Director. (I was still several rungs down the ladder from James Patterson whose title was far more impressive.) I wrote the first draft of SHAKING HANDS WITH LEFKOWITZ within 6 months of leaving JWT. While writing it, I also worked as a freelance writer and voice talent, recording commercials, videos and audiobooks. I recorded FIREHOUSE by David Halberstam, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author. This led to other audiobooks, including novels by John Saul and nonfiction works that dealt with, among other things, Enron and religion - though not, of course, in the same book. I am currently near completion of my next novel, a murder mystery that I hope will give rise to a series. (See What's Next) I would never have had the courage to "quit my day job" were it not for the love and support of my wife, Sherry. She has, throughout our marriage, encouraged and nurtured my talent, turning me not only into a better writer, but also a better person. Our children, Jesse and Emily, will both soon possess college degrees that, along with $3.50 will buy them a cup of latte. I wish them both the mapless, exciting journey that I experienced on the way to discovering what they're meant to be. I hope, however, that they reach their destinations about 20 years sooner than I did.