Emerson Ward Mysteries

In a case of life imitating art, Michael W. Sherer is a freelance writer and marketing communications consultant who has written more than 300 articles about food and beverage (because he loves to eat). Unlike his alter ego Emerson Ward, though, Mike started out as a restaurant manager, not a stock broker. After stints as a bartender, commercial photography assistant, trade magazine editor and public relations account executive, he bravely struck out on his own in 1988, the year his first novel was published. He has no regrets about leaving the corporate world behind, and says that while the pay is lousy, the hours are great.

Mike first dreamed of becoming a bestselling novelist after taking a creative writing course in college from author John Nichols. He wrote his first book (an admittedly awful science fiction novel) in his senior year, but it was his third book that was finally published a decade and a half later. “Writing books,” he says, “is actually the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.” He hopes that his latest book might be the bestseller he’s hoped for -- tell your friends if you like it.

Mike grew up on a farm in northern Illinois, and after graduating from college lived in Chicago for 20 years. He now lives in Mercer Island, Wash. Formerly on the board of directors of Mystery Writers of America, Midwest chapter, Mike has published five novels in the Emerson Ward series. Death Is No Bargain is available in hardcover from online retailers such as www.barnesandnoble.com. A Forever Death is available in mass market paperback, also from online retailers or through your favorite bookstore. An Option On Death, Little Use For Death and Death Came Dressed in White, all are available through the Authors Guild's backinprint.com program as well as online retailers.