James W. Ziskin

JWZ in Lucolena, Greve in Chianti, Italy

James W. Ziskin is an American author known for his award-winning crime fiction, particularly the Ellie Stone mystery series. Born in 1960 and raised in Amsterdam, New York, Ziskin pursued his passion for languages by studying Romance languages and literature at the University of Pennsylvania. His academic background in linguistics, including a focus on Italian and French, has significantly influenced his writing style and story lines.

Before becoming a full-time writer, Ziskin worked as a photo-news producer and writer in New York City and served as the director of NYU’s Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò. He also spent fifteen years in the Hollywood post-production industry, managing large international operations in subtitling, localization, and visual effects. His international experiences include living and working in France, Italy, and India. He speaks French and Italian.

Ziskin’s Ellie Stone series, set in the early 1960s, has garnered much critical acclaim. The fourth book, Heart of Stone, won the 2017 Anthony Award for Best Paperback Original and the Macavity Award for Best Historical Mystery. His novel Turn to Stone received the 2021 Barry Award for Best Paperback Original and the Macavity Award for Best Historical Mystery. Additionally, his novels and short stories have been finalists for the Edgar, Agatha, Lefty, and Sue Grafton Memorial Awards.

His ninth book, The Prank (Level Best Books), will be released in July of 2026.

James lives outside Boston. He is represented by Kimberley Cameron of Kimberley Cameron and Associates, https://www.kimberleycameron.com/

CONTACT

JWZ:
james.ziskin@jameswziskin.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/james.ziskin.39

Agent:
Kimberley Cameron
Kimberley Cameron and Associates,
1550 Tiburon Blvd #704
Tiburon, CA 94920
(415) 789-9191
kimberley@kimberleycameron.com

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