Steven Pressfield

Stevan Pressfield is an accomplished American author, known for his works in historical fiction and non-fiction. After graduating from Duke University, Pressfield pursued a variety of careers, including working as a copywriter, teacher, truck driver, bartender, oilfield roustabout, mental hospital attendant, and fruit-picker. He even lived out of his car at one point, all in an effort to make it as a writer. In addition to his writing career, Pressfield also co-founded Black Irish Books with agent Shawn Coyne.

Pressfield was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad in 1943, while his father was stationed there in the Navy. He joined the Marine Force after graduating from college in 1965. Pressfield's writing career spans decades and includes multiple best-selling novels and non-fiction books. His works often explore themes of war and the warrior's life, and have gained a following among military personnel. His novel, "Gates of Fire," is on the required reading list at West Point and the recommended reading list of the Joint Chiefs. Pressfield has also written about the struggles of the artistic process in works such as "The War of Art" and "Turning Pro."

Pressfield's writing philosophy is deeply influenced by his own experiences and beliefs. He has spoken about the concept of "Resistance" and the importance of "turning pro" in the artistic process. He also has a belief in previous lives, the Muse, and the idea that books and music exist before they are written. Pressfield's writing has been described as a paradoxical combination of reverence for the unknowable nature of creativity and a blue-collar approach to the discipline and hard work required to bring that creativity into being.