Robert James has toured the United States as an actor, written a handful of published novels, more than a handful of published stories, many award-winning plays, and his crosswords have appeared everywhere from The New York Times to various newsstand puzzle magazines. He continues to engage in all these pursuits, and also works as a book reviewer and teacher (of acting and writing). In short, he's a workaholic who loves all of his low-paying jobs. (Also a gym rat and movie lover.) Robert lives in the flat Midwest, where his story is set.