Dean Koontz was born and raised in Pennsylvania. To survive a difficult childhood,
he turned early on to books which could transport him magically to a better world. The desire to create the same
escape for others explains in part his motivation to become a writer. He graduated from Shippensburg State College
(now Shippensburg University), and his first job after graduation was with the Appalachian Poverty Program,
where he was expected to counsel and tutor underprivileged children on a one-to-one basis. His first day on the
job, he discovered that the previous occupier of his position had been beaten up by the very kids he had been
trying to help and had landed in the hospital for several weeks. The following year was filled with challenge
but also tension, and Koontz was more highly motivated than ever to build a career as a writer.¹
Dean Koontz Quote
"All writing is to some degree based on personal experience, especially the emotions my characters feel, the thoughts they have about life and the struggles of life."
Novels by Dean Koontz: In Odd We Trust, Hideaway, The Good Guy, Odd Hours, Three Complete Novels, The Darkest Evening of the Year, Strange Highways, The Key to Midnight, Lightning, The Voice of the Night, Strangers, Velocity, The Taking, Dean Koontz's Frankenstein: Prodigal Son, Cold Fire, Life Expectancy, Life is Good!: Lessons in Joyful Living, Odd Thomas, Robot Santa: The Further Adventures of Santa's Twin, Santa's Twin, The Bad Place, Midnight, Watchers, The Face, Midnight, By the Light of the Moon, among many others.