Andrew Vachss

Andrew Vachss is an American novelist, born on October 19, 1942, in New York City. He is renowned for his hardboiled crime fiction, particularly the Burke series. Vachss has had a diverse career, with notable roles in child protection before becoming a lawyer. He has been a social services caseworker in New York City, a federal investigator for sexually transmitted diseases, and a labor organizer. His experiences also include directing a maximum-security prison for aggressive-violent youth and managing a re-entry program for ex-convicts in Massachusetts.

In addition to his writing, Vachss is a child protection consultant and an attorney who represents only children and youth. He is also a fervent advocate against animal abuse. His passion for child protection led him to co-found the political organization PROTECT and serve as a national advisory board member. Vachss' work in child protection has taken him to various parts of the world, including war-torn Biafra, where he worked to supply medical supplies and food across the border during the Nigerian government's blockade. His dedication to these causes is evident in his establishment of the Legislative Drafting Institute for Child Protection.

Vachss is a prolific writer, with numerous novels, short story collections, song lyrics, graphic novels, essays, and a children's book for adults to his name. His work has been translated into twenty languages and has appeared in various publications such as Parade, Antaeus, Esquire, Playboy, and The New York Times. Some of his notable books include 'Mortal Lock', 'SignWave', and 'Carbon'. He maintains a dedicated website for his work, vachss.com, which is managed by volunteers. Despite his numerous accomplishments, Vachss remains committed to his work in child protection and continues to make a significant impact in this field.