Jay Bonansinga

In the world of fiction, Jay Bonansinga has established himself as a fixture in the genres of horror and suspense.  He is the New York Times bestselling author of THE WALKING DEAD novels (four volumes in collaboration with the creator of the franchise, Robert Kirkman, and four volumes as solo author).  He is also the author of fourteen original novels, including the Bram Stoker finalist THE BLACK MARIAH (1994), the International Thriller Writers Award finalist SHATTERED (2007), the acclaimed YA horror novel, LUCID (2015), and Jay’s latest horror opus, SELF STORAGE (2016).  Jay’s work has been translated into sixteen languages, and he has been called “one of the most imaginative writers of thrillers” by the CHICAGO TRIBUNE.   In the world of film, Jay has worked as a screenwriter with George Romero (NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD), Dennis Haysbert (24), Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad), and Will Smith’s Overbrook Productions.  In 2009, Jay’s directorial debut, STASH, starring Tim Kazurinsky and Marilyn Chambers, won top honors at three separate independent film festivals, as well as premiering in 50 million households on ON-DEMAND.  Jay is a lifetime member the Writers Guild of America, and has optioned several original screenplays now in development as major motion pictures.   In the world of non-fiction, Jay’s 2004 historical narrative, THE SINKING OF THE EASTLAND, received national acclaim as well as the certificate of merit from the Illinois State Historical Society, ultimately becoming the source for the hit musical, EASTLAND, staged in Chicago by the Tony-award winning theater company, Lookingglass.  Jay has also authored acclaimed books on Alan Pinkerton and the Las Vegas mob.     In other media, Jay has also created or co-created the stories for a number of videogames in THE WALKING DEAD universe, as well as directed several music videos that have received national airplay.  He lives in Evanston with his wife, the photographer Jill Norton, and his two teenage boys, and is currently hard at work on the next THE WALKING DEAD book in the Woodbury quartet.