If you’re reading this, and you’ve been with me for years, thank you. I mean it. Without my audience, there really wouldn’t be a reason to have this page in the first place. But lately, as I prepare to begin querying, it occurred to me that few who read my work, or this site, really know who I am. So today, I’m here to rectify that. A reintroduction is in order.

Hi. I’m Mike, and I write science fiction.

I live in Cincinnati, where I’ve spent my entire adult life, working as an aerospace engineering researcher. I wear jeans and flannel, pretty much all the time. I cook, and I dare say I’m pretty good at it. My specialty is salmon, and I’ve been told I make a mean filet. I love peanut butter, and have been known to eat it straight out of the jar, with a spoon. I’m a night owl, and do some of my best writing in the dead of night.

I’m voraciously curious, about pretty much everything. I read constantly, mostly nonfiction. Science and history are my go-to’s, but I’ll read about anything. I live my life by the credo that in the 21st century, there’s no excuse for an unanswered question. In addition to research for both work and writing, I’m always researching something just for myself. Over the past few months, I’ve read exhaustively on subjects ranging from ancient Chinese history to the history of naval warfare, to the origins of recorded media, and variations on the hot dog across the world.

I love sports, a love I get from my parents, both of whom always sat down to watch a game. Though I’ll watch and follow most anything, baseball and college football are my two absolute favorite sports, bordering on obsession. The Cleveland Guardians are my absolute favorite team in any sport, and have been since I was a child (thanks to my dad). In college football, my favorites are many and change over time. I adore my alma mater (Cincinnati), and am a serious fan of Miami (FL), UCLA, Penn State (WE ARE), and Texas (hook ’em ‘Horns!). However, my first love is the Olympics, especially the Winter Olympics, of which I have an encyclopedic knowledge.

Believe it or not, I’m awesome at trivia. But first and foremost, I love sharing what I learn. Part of what keeps me constantly reading and researching is the simple belief that any day where you learn something new is a good day. I love the feeling of learning something new, and more than that I love sharing that feeling with others. So among my friends and loved ones, I’m constantly spouting off random information, hoping to help others to learn more about the world around them, and enjoy that same feeling of discovery I’ve experienced.

I love music. My tastes are vast and diverse, changing constantly, but I’m particularly fond of rock from the ’70s and ’90s. Prog rock and grunge are favorites, particularly Led Zeppelin and Alice in Chains.

I write science fiction not just because I love science, but because I love sci-fi. I don’t just write it; I read and watch sci-fi almost exclusively. I adore Star Trek and Star Wars, obviously, but also love (and take inspiration from) classics like Babylon 5 and Farscape, as well as more recent series like The Expanse and more eclectic series sane humans probably haven’t heard of (look up Earth 2 for a real treat).

All of those things make up who I am, and in some way or another inform my writing. My goal in life, since childhood, has been to know everything I can about the world around me, its history, and how the universe works. I believe no one should ever stop learning, or questioning, or wanting to know more. And I live to share my joy of discovery with the world.

I’m Mike. Welcome to my universe. Now, let’s get started, and dare to dream. – MK