James W. Ziskin is an American author, born in 1960, who is well-known for his mystery novels, particularly the Ellie Stone series. He earned his graduate degree in Romance Languages and Literature from the University of Pennsylvania. Following his graduation, he worked as a photo-news producer and writer, as well as Director of NYU's Casa Italiana in New York. Ziskin also gained international experience, having spent time in France and Italy, and working in post-production in Hollywood, running operations in subtitling/localization and visual effects.
Ziskin has garnered significant recognition in the literary world since the release of his first novel in 2013. He has won multiple awards for his work, including the Anthony Award and the Barry Award for Best Paperback Original, and the Macavity Award for Best Historical Novel (Sue Feder Memorial). His Ellie Stone Mysteries have been well-received, with multiple books in the series being finalists for the Edgar, Barry, and Lefty awards. In addition to his Ellie Stone series, Ziskin has also been recognized for his short story "The Twenty-Five-Year Engagement" in the In League with Sherlock Holmes anthology. His upcoming book, Bombay Monsoon, is a thriller set in 1975 India under the "Emergency," a period during which he spent nearly four years living, working, and traveling in India. Ziskin is represented by Kimberley Cameron of Kimberley Cameron and Associates.