Michael is the author of many books for children and young adults, and his stories and articles have appeared in popular publications for young people since 1981. He has also authored educational materials--classroom, textbook and testing materials. Michael retired from public school teaching in 1996, to write full-time. A graduate of Cumberland College and Eastern Kentucky University, he lives and works in Northern Kentucky, not far from the Ohio River, the setting of his 2010 YA historical novel, THE STEAMBOAT SHUFFLE.