Robert J. Sherwood

I was born in St. Joseph, Missouri. It was the home of Jesse James, a famous outlaw. It is located 60 miles North of the home of Harry Truman, a famous president. I am told I was a voracious reader at an early age. I must not have read carefully because I flunked English at the University of Kansas. Hence, I gave up being a writer until I learned you could write and just put the commas, anywhere, you wanted. I hated all the classics and thought Shakespeare was obtuse. James Joyce is in the same category. My teachers made me read Catcher in the Rye. They told me it was an example of great writing. After that, it took me ten years to learn that short sentences are better than long sentences. Don't you agree?

I graduated with two degrees in engineering and later went to three different graduate schools for business degrees. I started serious writing when I was 65. My thriller novels are all inspired by my litigation experience and my business books are based on 35 years of making many business mistakes. However, I did get a few things right. Some would say, I am a successful author, entrepreneur and teacher. My ego would not argue with them, but the jury is still sequestered. My tombstone will probably be inscribed, "Nice try."

At this point in my life, I have published three thriller novels and nine Basic Guides to Business. Even my most critical reviewer has told me the Basic Guides are worth $2.99. I wrote the thriller novels for myself because I love to read a fascinating story embedded with a bit of truth mixed with the insanely probable. Fortunately, other people do too. My most recent novel is Pandora's Prisoner. I read it out-loud to my editor and I cried at the end. I don't know why. If it effects you that way, please let me know. On a more personal side, I have five sons and a patient wife. She let me spend all my retirement money writing books. Now, I have to sell my books to make a living. I live in Leawood, Kansas and spend several months a year in the California desert. I play tennis, hike and ride my bike. It works for me.