Gene Ambaum is a writer and cartoonist best known for co-creating the comic strip "Unshelved" with Bill Barnes, which humorously explores library life and literary culture. His diverse professional background includes roles as an English teacher, librarian, and operations manager, experiences that often inform his creative work. Ambaum has a particular affinity for graphic novels, citing influences such as Lewis Trondheim, Emmanuel Guibert, Hope Larson, and Kazu Kibuishi.
Ambaum's literary tastes reflect a broad appreciation for storytelling across mediums, from wordless graphic works like Andy Runton's "Owly The Way Home & The Bittersweet Summer" to classic fantasy novels such as Ursula K. Le Guin's "A Wizard of Earthsea." His career trajectory demonstrates a consistent engagement with both literature and education, blending his professional expertise with his passion for comics and narrative art.