William Florence is the author of the Max Blake Mysteries series, which currently features five titles: Raptor’s Ridge, Misery Ridge, Faraway Ridge, Snowfall Ridge, and Emerald Ridge. A former reporter, editor, and college professor, he worked at newspapers in Michigan, Washington, D.C., South Dakota, Indiana, and Oregon for 25 years and for 22 years as a journalism and writing instructor at a community college.
He has won various writing awards in four states. His work was published nationally in such widely read industry magazines as The Bulletin for the American Society of Newspaper Editors and APME News for the Associated Press Managing Editors group, and for noted travel publications such as Arizona Highways and Michigan Living.
He is a student of Western lore, is knowledgeable about the customs and history of the Old West, and is especially well versed in the firearms that were used during this colorful period. An avid photographer, he travels extensively through out the Western United States. In his spare time, he writes the Max Blake: Federal Marshal series of Westerns.
Mr. Florence attended colleges in Michigan and Ireland. He is a voracious reader and movie aficionado. He is married and has two adult children. His wife, Linda, is his toughest critic and his best friend.