James W. Ziskin is the author of the Anthony, Barry, and Macavity Award-winning Ellie Stone Mysteries. His books and short stories have also been finalists multiple times for the Edgar, Agatha, Lefty, and Sue Grafton Memorial Awards. A linguist by training, he studied Romance languages and literature at the University of Pennsylvania. He worked in New York as a photo-news producer and writer, and then as Director of New York University's Casa Italiana. He spent fifteen years in the Hollywood post-production industry, managing large international operations in the subtitling and visual effects fields. His international experience includes two years working and studying in France, extensive time in Italy, and nearly four years in India. He speaks French and Italian.