Sam Hertz grew up in the Pacific Northwest hiking, fishing, and reading with his parents and seven siblings. When he had a family of his own (five daughters), books and hooks were part of his parenting plan, which his wife graciously tolerated.
C.J. Cherry, Nicholas Hornby, Gary Paulson, and Holly Black are among his literary influences. He also learned a lot from the instruction of the late David Wolverton (aka David Farland), and the late Bill Block.
Sam has worked as a dishwasher, youth camp staffer, construction laborer, and trial lawyer. He currently resides in the Midwest near the largest lakes in the country.
