Michael Mechanic is an American author and journalist best known for his nonfiction work "Jackpot," his debut book. As a senior editor at Mother Jones magazine, he has built a career covering investigative and narrative journalism, with his writing appearing in prominent outlets such as The Atlantic, Wired, and the Los Angeles Times. His reporting often explores social justice issues, human behavior, and systemic inequalities.
Mechanic holds multiple graduate degrees, including a master’s in journalism from UC Berkeley and a master’s in cellular and developmental biology from Harvard. His journalism has earned several accolades, including a National Magazine Award shortlist for "Voluntary Confinement," an exposé on reality TV exploitation, and a Society of Professional Journalists award for "It Was Kind of Like Slavery," a collaborative multimedia project documenting abuse at a Florida reform school. Beyond writing, Mechanic is a multitalented musician who plays five instruments. He resides in Oakland, California, with his family.