Michael A. Stackpole

Michael A. Stackpole is a New York Times bestselling author of over forty fantasy and science fiction novels. His best known books were written in the Star Wars® universe, including I, Jedi and Rogue Squadron. He's written in a diverse number of area, and has won awards for his editing, novels, graphic novels, game designs, computer game designs, screenwriting and podcasting. In the summer of 2008 he was the first author to have work for sale in Apple's Appstore, and he's been an advocate for authors taking advantage of the opportunities afforded by the digital revolution.

Michael graduated from the University of Vermont in 1979 with a degree in History. His first game design had been published a year earlier, so he moved to Arizona and began a career as a game designer with Flying Buffalo Inc.. His freelance work in the gaming industry had him working for most of the major companies, like TSR, Game Designers Workshop, Mayfair Games, Steve Jackson Games, Wizards of the Coast, Wizkids, FASA and Catalyst Game Labs. He went full time freelance in 1986 while working on the computer game WASTELAND, which was Computer Gaming World's Adventure Game of the Year for 1988. 1988 also saw the publication of his first two novels, Warrior: En Garde and Warrior: Riposte.

Michael currently serves as the Executive Director of the Phoenix Skeptics and as a Director Emeritus of the Game Manufacturers' Association. He regularly tours the country attending conventions, giving writing workshops and lecturing on writing careers in the post-paper era. In his spare time he enjoys swing dancing and playing indoor soccer. He lives in Scottsdale, Arizona and his website is www.stormwolf.com.