About
I was raised in the San Gabriel Valley, just east of Los Angeles. I spent most of my youth in Azusa but graduated from Covina High School. (1964) After high school, I joined the Navy, where I met Mark Dennis, the subject of my second book. He introduced me to a nurse, and we were married in 1968.
After the Navy, I earned a B.S. in education from the University of Dayton and a Master of Education from Miami University of Ohio. (1976). I walked into my first classroom in 1971 and out of my last classroom in November 2020. I taught at the junior and high school level, teaching English Language Arts, speech, broadcast journalism and theatre. I taught the cognitive challenged, cognitive gifted and everything in between. I directed more than 50 plays, musicals, and ten high school mock trials. My last ten years were at a juvenile prison where all my students were convicted of everything from homicide to child molestation. I could not stay away from the classroom and am now a substitute teacher for a small district close to home.
While in college, I worked at a bowling alley, managing the counter and tended the bar. I taught accordion and worked at an Osteopathic hospital. Once teaching, I worked during the summer doing everything from yard maintenance for a trucking company and dispatched trucks around the country. I was a janitor, an insurance investigator and ran the projector at a drive-in movie theater.
I left teaching for a while and had a variety of jobs. I sold franchises, advertising copy, and ran a mail-order motivational tape business. I sold computers before the age of PCs and had my own insurance agency.
Today, I spend my time writing. I have written and published three books, one is at an editor and two more are in various stages of construction. I have worked with adults wanting to see their stories in print, and elementary kids dreaming of being an author. When possible, my wife and I enjoy spending time with our granddaughters and exploring this country by car. We have also enjoyed out-of-country trips and cruises.
Family
Steve and Judy have been married for 54 years. They have two grown children and two granddaughters.
my books
THE ALBUM: GROWING UP IN THE AGE OF INNOCENCE (A FICTIONAL MEMOIR) (2021)
VANISHED: THE MARK DENNIS STORY BIOGRAPHY OF A NAVY CORPSMAN MISSING FOR 50 YEARS (2021)
FINDING TED JAMES: A NOVEL (2022)
MEXIA MURDER MYSTER (Working Title) (2023?)
Get in touch
Steve is always available for side collaborations and talks. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to chat about books, writing, wine, or anything else.
Steven Wilcox 