Robert E. Blackwell

Robert E. Blackwell has been writing poetry for more than 50 years, but finally worked up the nerve to get published in 2002. Why a poet? "Because my attention span is too short to be a novelist."

A lifelong resident of Columbus, Ohio ("Why does the 14th-largest city in the US have to specify its state location?!"), Blackwell began self-publishing collections in 2005 and enjoys writing traditional and free verse poetry. A retired state employee, Blackwell also does seasonal tax preparation.

Blackwell's favorite reading genres are poetry (of course!), 19th-century US history, historical fiction, and science fiction/fantasy (especially by Sandra Valencia!). An avid RPG geek, a lot more time is spent playing games like Diablo and Dungeons & Dragons.