Keith Ferrell

The author of more than a dozen books, including novels and biographies, Keith Ferrell has also written hundreds of magazine, newspaper, and encyclopedia articles on scientific, technical, business, historical, and cultural topics. He was written and co-designed several interactive computer games. He has spoken to business, government, and educational audiences in the United States, Europe, and Asia, and has appeared frequently on television and radio. Recent publications include articles on the future of the Web, the history of glass, the perils and inaccuracies of Internet-based information, the challenges inherent in surveillance technologies, the variety of crises in corporate governance, and the evolution of unusual words. From 1990 to 1996 he was editor-in-chief of OMNI Magazine, the world’s largest circulation science magazine; additionally he was editorial director of the Compute family of books and magazines, as well as senior vice president of parent company General Media International. In 1994 Ferrell oversaw the launch of OMNI On-Line, the first major magazine to make the transition to Internet publication. Among numerous awards, Ferrell was recognized three times by the Software Publishers’ Association as computer journalist of the year; from 1993-1996 he hosted an in-flight television program, Tech Talk, for American Airlines. His most recent novel is Passing Judgment; a new novel is spread across his desk (and floor and shelves) and should be done by late spring. Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, Ferrell moved to Greensboro, N.C. in 1971, where he attended (and later taught at) the University of North Carolina’s Residential College. For much of the 90s he divided his time between Greensboro and New York. Since 1997 Ferrell and his wife Martha have been based at a small farm in Glade Hill, Virginia. The Ferrells have one son, Alec, who lives in New York City. In addition to novels, Ferrell is working on a variety of nonfiction books including both history and cultural commentary.