Dean Klinkenberg

Dean Klinkenberg’s work is driven by an insatiable curiosity about people and the world we live in. His work champions the lives of regular folks, especially those of us who get knocked down and find a way to get back up and continue, anyway. The protagonist in his mystery series, Frank Dodge, fits the mold, as do many of the characters Dodge encounters. In Klinkenberg’s memoir, Better Safe Than Sorry? Slow Boats, Chicken Buses, and the Radical Choice to Trust the World, he shares stories about how he used travel to get past his fears and because of that, experienced unforgettable moments with strangers around the world. Klinkenberg also writes and podcasts as the Mississippi Valley Traveler, telling stories about the people and places along the Mississippi River. He is currently writing the first novel in a historical fiction series that will tell stories about American history from the perspective of regular folks.

Klinkenberg lives in St. Louis, Missouri.