Jay MacLarty was an American author, born in Spirit Lake, Iowa, and raised in the Midwest, specifically in Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota. As an adult, he expanded his horizons by living for extended periods in Florida, California, Nevada, and Colorado. MacLarty has been married twice, but his marriages were not particularly successful, and he is a father of two children.
MacLarty had always been an avid reader, and his love for literature eventually led him to try his hand at writing. He began by working on a lengthy and sweeping ethnic saga during his spare time. Although the manuscript received positive reviews, it was considered too long and literary for a debut novel. As a result, he was advised to write a book with more mass appeal first. This advice marked the beginning of the Simon Leonidovich series, which combined elements of business, politics, and technology, drawing from his own professional background.
An accomplished entrepreneur since the age of twenty-one, MacLarty turned to writing somewhat later in life. His first manuscript was deemed "too long and literary" for a first-time novelist, and he was advised to "go write the popular book first." In response, he wrote "The Courier," the first in a series of thrillers published by Simon & Schuster, featuring the common-man hero Simon Leonidovich. The series, which also includes "Bagman," "Live Wire," and "Choke Point," drew on MacLarty's unique background in business, politics, and high-tech. All four books received literary recognition, and MacLarty is currently working on a stand-alone work of fiction. MacLarty spends much of his time traveling, seeking new adventures, stories, and voices.