Derek Nikitas is a critically acclaimed author, best known for his thriller novels and young adult fiction. He was born in Manchester, New Hampshire on December 13, which also happens to be St. Lucia's Day. After completing his BA in English from the State University of New York College at Brockport, Nikitas went on to earn his MFA in fiction writing from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Currently, he teaches Creative Writing and English at the University of Rhode Island.
Nikitas' work has been widely recognized and translated into several languages, including German and Japanese. His debut novel, Pyres, was nominated for an Edgar Award for Best First Novel, and his second novel, The Long Division, was selected as a Washington Post Best Book of 2009. In addition to his thriller novels, Nikitas has also written a science fiction adventure novel for young adults called Extra Life.
Along with his solo works, Nikitas has also co-written several "Bookshots" books with bestselling author James Patterson, including Diary of a Succubus and You've Been Warned--Again. His short stories have been published in various anthologies and magazines, including Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Thuglit, The Ontario Review, Chelsea, Plots with Guns, New South, and more. Nikitas was raised in New Hampshire and Western New York and earned his PhD in English from Georgia State University.