Michael Cobley, although born in Leicester, has lived in Scotland since the age of seven. He has a strong connection to his Scottish heritage, which has shaped his outlook on life in many ways, such as his egalitarian and amiable nature. However, Cobley considers himself a citizen of the world, with a global perspective.
After completing high school, Cobley attended Strathclyde University, where he pursued engineering as his major. During his time at university, he discovered the joys and risks of student life and began a side career as a DJ. Although this lifestyle was exciting at first, Cobley eventually grew tired of the constant partying and student gigs. It was during this time that he had his first encounter with Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig, which sparked a philosophical and political odyssey that continues to this day.
Cobley's interest in writing began when he was around 20 or 21 years old, leading him to create a short fantasy novel. He also wrote a series of articles and rants for the campus paper under the pen-name Phaedrus. Alongside this, he began writing short stories, although he has had limited opportunities to write them since beginning work on the Shadowkings trilogy.
The first two volumes of the Shadowkings trilogy, Shadowkings and Shadowgod, were published by Simon & Schuster's now-defunct imprint Earthlight. The third part of the trilogy, Shadowmasque, will be published by Simon & Schuster-Pocket at the end of 2004. Cobley has several ideas and concepts for his next big project, but they are currently on the backburner. The publication of Iron Mosaic is a personal milestone for him, as well as a showcase of the topics and techniques that have interested him since the publication of his first short story back in 1986. Cobley has also appeared in the Thackery T Lambshead Guide to Eccentric and Discredited Diseases, with a monologue on the malady known as 'Parabubozygosia'.