About the Author

Michael Smith is a published freelance writer and eBook author. He writes young adult adventure novels, books that examine spirituality, children's picture books that teach practical information, stories centered on Christmas, short stories and magazine articles. He has six published books: Kevin Murphy Takes on the Father of Lies; Hounded! My Spiritual Journey; Cutter, My Christmas Gift; Kevin Murphy, The Quest for Queen Grace's Pardon Begins; Aurora in Cyberworld; and Grandma's Christmas Gift. Two of Michael's short stories have received Writer's Digest honorable mentions. The January, 2012, edition of The Path, a literary magazine created to publish short stories written by first time authors, highlighted an article he wrote entitled 'Follow the Proven Path' which describes the writing approaches that separate standout authors from the pack. As a boy, Michael became interested in storytelling while listening to the tall tales his relatives told at every family gathering. In school he learned from Poe to hold the readers' interest by keeping them wondering what will happen next and how the story will end. These two experiences taught him a good story must be unique and contain an element of suspense that hooks the readers and keeps them turning the pages as quickly as they can. While working on an MBA at Marquette University, Michael wrote and edited two chapters of a bestselling college textbook and the entire book length teacher's guide that accompanied it. Following graduation Michael worked as a consultant and software developer. In 2000 he sold his successful international software development and marketing business so he could write books as well as develop software designed to help people write more effectively.