My guest on this episode of Writers at Work is Brad Meltzer, whose latest book is THE JFK CONSPIRACY: THE SECRET PLOT TO KILL KENNEDY—AND WHY IT FAILED, written with Josh Mensch. It follows their three similar fact-based thrillers about plots to kill George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and FDR, Stalin and Churchill.

Since the publication of his first novel, THE TENTH JUSTICE, in 1997, Brad's work has been a ubiquitous presence in libraries, bookstores and on bestseller lists. In addition to his notable novels and nonfiction work, he is an award-winning, much-admired comic book writer, TV writer and host, and public speaker.

A tireless researcher who earned his J.D. degree at Columbia Law School, Brad enjoyed the insights and assistance of former presidents Clinton and W. Bush and has worked with members of the US Intelligence community. And let's not overlook his utterly charming and informative Ordinary People Change the World Series for Young Readers with illustrator Chris Eliopoulos.

A decade after the initial I AM ABRAHAM LINCOLN, I AM AMELIA EARHART, I AM ROSA PARKS and I AM ALBERT EINSTEIN were published, 2024 saw the arrival of I AM RUTH BADER GINSBURG and I AM STEPHEN HAWKING. This year will bring I AM SALLY RIDE and WE ARE THE BEATLES.

Because he is such a part of the cultural landscape, it can appear that Brad Meltzer arrived fully formed with success and inevitability. But as every writer can attest, it is never the case. And it was not with Brad. As his bio indicates, he has long put in the work necessary to have a forum to say what he wants to say.