I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York,
and owe my introduction to science fiction to my Mom, who watched many a Star Trek episode with me. My parents encouraged
my brothers and I to read, early and often, though science fiction books weren't really present in the house. So, I
remained fairly oblivious to science fiction literature.
In 1981, my good friends, Joe and Aldo, told me about these
"conventions" that they liked to attend. Having nothing else planned for that weekend, I agreed to go. It was
the start of about ten years of regular Con attendence, which led to my learning more about science fiction literature,
and gave me the chance to meet so many authors whom I came to admire.
After college, I found work in the Contracts
Department at E.P. Dutton - not exactly the editorial career path for which I'd hoped. I survived the dismantling of
that august publishing house by specializing in children's books. I stayed on with Penguin's Children's division for
five years, and then spent two years as Contracts Director for the children's division of Simon & Schuster.
Meanwhile,
my wife Amy was working in the science fiction and fantasy field, and I did some computer consulting work for her company.
In 1996, when Amy's boss passed away, the owners of the company asked me to come on board as Subsidiary Rights Director. In
short order, I added the titles of Contracts Director and Electronic Publishing Director to my business cards.
During
my tenure there, I enjoyed the distinction within the major trade publishing houses of being the only Rights and Contracts
professional specializing in the science fiction and fantasy genres, and have been privileged to have been responsible for
several groundbreaking initiatives. I worked with Palm Digital Media to conduct the world's first-ever electronic book
autographing session at the 2001 Book Expo America trade show. I drafted and implemented the first major effort to print
anti-electronic piracy language on the copyright page of trade books, an effort rewarded by notice from Publishers' Weekly
and other publishing houses which have picked up my language for their own books.
I'd written a few (still unsold)
children's manuscripts while working in the field, and I wanted to start writing science fiction. Unfortunately, work
and two small children conspired to keep me from my word processor. In September 2001, I was finally invited to write
a story for an anthology about "business in space". The invite resulted in "Attached Please Find My Novel" and my first
published science fiction story.
In 2003, I opened my own publishing rights agency, and represented a number of science
fiction, mystery and romance publishers and authors. While business was good, my family needs demanded a dayjob with
benefits. In May 2005, I became Contracts Manager at Holtzbrinck Publishers, working with such imprints as
St. Martin's Press, Henry Holt and Company, and the top imprint in the science fiction field, TOR Books. It is an exciting
time for me professionally. I officially closed the door of my agency in December 2006 so I could devote more time to
my own writing.
In fall of 2007, I was promoted to Associate Director of Contracts at the newly renamed Macmillan,
and began teaching a course on Legal Issues in Publishing at City College of New York.
I continuing to attend conventions as often as possible. If
you happen to see me at a Con, stop by and say hello. I'd love to meet you.
