Biography
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From the Author
Gentle reader,
A few words about me.
I grew up in a big city skulking around the neighborhood with my brothers, reading Tolkien, and dreaming of some day writing my own books. When I was ten, my brothers and I transferred to a private Catholic school., and thus began many years of quality instruction that had a profound and lasting impact. As a young teenager I tried writing my own fantasy based on Lord of the Rings characters. I loved creating cool names and personality types. But I had no idea what I was doing, and I was using too much ribbon on our typewriter, so I gave it up in frustration rather quickly.
Education is a lifelong process. This was a mantra of the Marist Brothers who taught at my high school (George R.R. Martin is also a Marist alumnus, though I believe he was less enamored of the experience than I). This principle of learning, along with a work ethic inherited from my father, has served me well throughout my life. I learned patience and to think long term.
After graduating from Rutgers University with a degree in English-Literature, I spent one semester at Rutgers graduate school for creative writing while working part-time at a small publishing company that produced stock reports. I was also a messenger in New York City for a hot minute, before getting a job with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. After a few years as an immigration inspector, I became a special agent with USINS, later U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and finally Homeland Security Investigations. I was involved with many different types of criminal investigations over the years.
I retired from law enforcement in 2018 to pursue the dream I never let go of, becoming an author. I like to consider my 27 years in law enforcement as time spent researching human nature and the world in general. I continue to learn each day and apply my observations through the craft of writing. I try to make my stories entertaining, unique, and thought-provoking. My hope is that they 're worth the time it takes to read them. I live just outside Washington D.C. with my beautiful wife of many years, along with our beautiful cat of many pounds.
Your humble scrivener,
Bill Z.
Education and Career
1990
Graduated from Rutgers University - New Jersey, U.S.A.
1992
Graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy - Georgia, U.S.A.
2018
Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent (Retired) - Washington D.C.
2021
The Link : Welcome to Humanity released .
The Link: Farewell to Humanity released.
2022
Short story, The Imp, released in anthology.
2023
The Link: Return to Humanity released