Terry Shaffer

About Terry Shaffer

(In my second novel, The Democracy Dramaturgy, a character considers the origin of the observation that "people are trapped in history and it is trapped in them," attempting to decide whether the quote should be attributed to James Baldwin. Another advises him, "It's the concepts that matter - not whose ego was temporarily inflated by being the first person to utter them." I've attempted to make my writing about the concepts, not about the author. But since I've just screwed that pooch by adding a photo, I guess I have to tell you about the rather unkempt character grinning in it.)

Terry Shaffer worked for fifteen years within the American political system. His first novel, Random Notes From a Specific Deadhead, was based on his departure from that system as a political whistle-blower whose testimony led to the conviction of several of the most powerful figures in Pennsylvania politics. Terry remained active in the political reform movement while authoring The Democracy Dramaturgy which, readers will be surprised to learn, he wrote a full year before the 2016 Presidential Election campaign its second "act" appears to lampoon.

Still a regular blogger dealing with progressive issues, Terry is also busily working on his third novel with the capable support of his wife, Kimberly, and their cat, Toofy. He still believes it's the concepts that should matter. But he's willing to add a well-placed grin, here and there, if it will inspire readers to consider them.