Since he was quite young, Rick knew he wanted to be a writer.
After earning a degree in English from Roosevelt University in
Chicago, Rick returned to his native Florida to pursue
a career in the arts. While teaching part time and dabbling
in the theater, he decided to take a job with the Internal Revenue Service, where he served as a revenue officer for over ten years.
He continued to pursue his lifelong dream of being a full-time writer, however, finally leaving the IRS in 2004 upon the publication
of his critically acclaimed memoir, Confessions of a Tax Collector.
To date he has published six novels in addition to his memoir.
Confessions of a Tax Collector, was named by the Wall Street Journal
as one of the five best books on taxes ever written.
His Alfred Kropp trilogy for young adults has been published in seventeen countries and was nominated for the prestigious Carnegie Medal,
as well as garnering numerous awards since its inception in 2005.
He is also the author of the critically acclaimed
Teddy Ruzak mystery series for adults.
In the fall of 2009, Simon & Schuster will launch his newest YA series,
The Monstrumologist.

Rick is the proud father of three sons. He lives in Florida with his wife, Sandy.