Eric Simanek

Photo: The worst news one can get at Talisker Distillery in Scotland.

Find me at: ericsimanek.com

Born in central Illinois surrounded by fields of corn and growing up outside Peoria, once the whiskey capital of the world, it is not surprising that I found my way to whiskey. The effect of beer on my midriff may be another reason. Writing has always been part of my life: research papers, grant proposals and a textbook. Writing historical fiction is a relatively recent adventure.

I obtained a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign in 1991 and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Harvard in 1996. While at Harvard, I met the love of my life, Valerie. We married in 1995. After a post-doctoral appointment at The Scripps Research Institute, I started my independent career at Texas A&M University in 1998. Our four boys were born in Aggieland. In 2010, we moved to Texas Christian University. We live in Fort Worth with the boys and two cats.