An American author, screenwriter, and journalist, he specialized in the mystery and science fiction genres. His more than twenty-five novels include the Traveler books and the Edgar Award-nominated mystery, Cracking Up.
He graduated from Kean University in New Jersey with a degree in education. Before he became a writer, he published his artwork in the inaugural issue of Modern Monsters Magazine.
He contributed to popular magazines such as Playboy, Rolling Stone, and the New York Post.
He was raised in Linden, New Jersey.
He contributed to Rolling Stone magazine, a publication that has featured rocker Mick Jagger on its cover.