Eric Van Lustbader

Eric Van Lustbader is a prominent American novelist, best known for his thriller and fantasy novels. He has written numerous series, including "The Pearl Saga," "The Sunset Warrior Cycle," "China Maroc," "Ninja Cycle," and he has continued the Jason Bourne series after Robert Ludlum's passing. Van Lustbader was born and raised in the Lower West Side of Manhattan, where he developed an interest in art and writing from a young age. He lived downstairs from the legendary actress Lauren Bacall and was friends with the Carradine brothers, who also became successful actors. Van Lustbader attended the City and Country School for his early education, where he has fond memories and considers it to be the place where he learned his most important lessons. He then went on to attend Stuyvesant High School and Columbia College, where he majored in sociology.

Before turning to writing full-time, Van Lustbader had successful careers in the New York City public school system, where he holds licenses in both elementary and early childhood education, and in the music business, where he worked for Elektra Records and CBS Records, among other companies. He was the first writer in the US to write about Elton John and to predict his success, becoming friends with Elton and his lyricist Bernie Taupin as a result. Van Lustbader was also a music journalist and predicted the success of several bands, including Santana, Roxy Music, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, David Bowie, and The Who. He is also the author of two successful and highly regarded major fantasy series, "The Pearl" and "The Sunset Warrior Cycle." He has written several short stories, screenplays, and novellas, as well as a graphic novel featuring his favorite childhood comic character, Batman. In 2004, Van Lustbader was asked by the Estate of Robert Ludlum to continue the Jason Bourne series, which he has done with several best-selling novels. He also writes the "Jack McClure" series, which features his first continuing characters since Nicholas Linnear and Jake Maroc.