Conrad Wesselhoeft is an American author known for his contemporary young-adult fiction. His published works include "Adios, Nirvana" (2010) and "Dirt Bikes, Drones, and Other Ways to Fly" (2014), both released by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. His writing career was influenced by acclaimed YA novelist Scott O'Dell, who mentored him early on and emphasized the importance of perseverance in writing.
Before becoming an author, Wesselhoeft led a varied professional life, working as a tugboat hand in Singapore and serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Polynesia. He later transitioned into journalism, holding editorial positions at five newspapers, including The New York Times. His diverse experiences inform his storytelling, which often explores themes of resilience and self-discovery. Wesselhoeft comes from a family with literary connections—his ancestors were homeopathic doctors to notable figures like Emily Dickinson and Louisa May Alcott. He resides in West Seattle with his family and a poodle named Django.