The Basics
I was born and raised in New Jersey, spending my childhood in Long Valley and most of my adulthood in and around the Morristown area. My family (parents, sisters, brother-in-laws, nieces and nephew) all live nearby and are a huge part of my life. They are a major source of my strength and support me in everything I do. That support extends even to my work-life as I followed in my dad's footsteps, working in the healthcare publishing industry since graduating college.

Writing
As far back as I can remember, I've dabbled with writing, be it short stories, poems or songs (the latter during my teen-angst years). Even got a degree in English. But I never got serious about it until this book grabbed, shook and refused to let me go. But since completing Surviving Bill, I've written many short stories (getting several published in The Surfer's Path and N'EAST Mag) and am working on other book ideas outside of surviving suicide.

Surfing
My passion. My love. Ever since taking my first ride (on that red and yellow board on the book's back cover), I've been hooked. No other activity has made me happier throughout my life and I still get as giddy riding across a wave as I did when I was eleven years old. I surf year round in New Jersey and have traveled to Alaska, Nova Scotia, Ireland, California, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Mexico and Western Australia just to surf. Nothing makes me appreciate life more than sitting in the ocean, mesmerized by the beauty of the waves, sea life, sunrises and sunsets. The fact that it feels like a wonderful connection to Bill (he surfed too) doesn't hurt the spiritual sensation I get either.

Well, that's it in a nutshell.

Cheers,
Mike