James L. Nelson is an American author, born in Lewiston, Maine, in 1962. He is best known for his work in the maritime fiction and history genre, having penned over twenty books. Nelson's love for the sea and ships began at an early age, leading him to read Hornblower and build ship models. This interest eventually translated into his writing, which has been widely appreciated worldwide.
After graduating from Lewiston High School in 1980, Nelson attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and later transferred to UCLA with aspirations of becoming a film director. However, his career path took a turn when he began working in the television industry and realized that he could not tolerate the industry, Los Angeles, or being ashore. In 1988, Nelson joined the crew of the Golden Hinde, a replica of Sir Francis Drake's vessel of 1577, where he met his future wife, Lisa Page. After leaving the Hinde in Houston, Texas, he worked aboard the brig Lady Washington and the ship 'HMS' Rose. In 1993, Nelson 'swallowed the anchor' and married Lisa Page. The following year, he finished his first book, 'By Force of Arms.'
Since then, Nelson has become a full-time writer, publishing fourteen books, some of which have been translated into several languages. His writing has also expanded to include non-fiction, with works like 'Reign of Iron' and 'George Washington's Secret Navy.' Nelson's books have received critical acclaim, with 'Glory in the Name' winning the American Library Association's W.Y. Boyd Award for Excellence in Military Fiction in 2003. He currently resides in Harpswell, Maine, with his wife and four children.