Jon F. Merz

Kensington Publications Corp., Pinnacle Books, St. Martin's Press, Penguin/Putnam, Alpha Books, Harlequin/Gold Eagle, Five Star Mysteries/Thorndike Press, Borderlands Press

THE SHADOW WARRIOR series to Baen Books, with the first book, THE UNDEAD HORDES OF KEN-GUL due out in Spring 2013 and two additional books due out annually thereafter.

The Lawson Vampire series: an urban fantasy series like no other. The series stars Lawson as a cynical, jaded member of a race of living vampires that have evolved in secret alongside humanity for millennia. Lawson works as a Fixer, a spy/commando type who thwarts evil in whatever form it takes - each book is a mix of crime, espionage, and magic. There are currently seven novels, four novellas, and seven short stories in the series with more coming. The series is also headed to television as THE FIXER (http://www.thefixer.tv) The first four novels were published by Kensington/Pinnacle Books, and the 5th novel THE KENSEI, was published in 2011 by St. Martin's Press before I took the series independent. See all the books by visiting here: http://amzn.to/lawsonbks

Additionally, I wrote eleven installments in the international bestselling ROGUE ANGEL series from Harlequin/Gold Eagle.

Prior to becoming a writer, I served in the United States Air Force, worked for the US Government, and then did protection work for private sector clients in Fortune 500 companies. I've been studying martial arts for almost 30 years and have 20+ years in authentic Togakure-ryu Ninjutsu where I hold a 5th degree black belt given to me directly from the 34th Grandmaster of the art during a trip to Japan in February 2003. I've taught self-protection skills to members of the US Department of State, Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons, military units, and other agencies as well as law enforcement, community crime watch groups, and special women-only classes.

Additionally, I am one of the few writers working today who fully understand how to use social media to create a large and lasting fan base. Since I straddle both the traditional and indie publishing realms, my techniques are tested every single day. Using a combination of Twitter, Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/jonfmerzfans), and other social media sites, as well as a large mailing list, I sell thousands of ebooks each month and have been called one of the few authors "who truly gets it" by my fans.

THE NINJA APPRENTICE: 14-year old Jimmy Dolan has been shuffled from orphanage to orphanage since his parents died, with no direction, few friends, and an eerie voice in his head. When a mysterious woman named "Aunt V" shows up one rainy night, Jimmy is suddenly thrown headlong into a dangerous world of murder and deception, where he must learn to fight as his ancestors did when they were a force for benevolence and justice in feudal Japan. Hunted by the killers of his family's arch-nemesis, Jimmy must recover nine sacred relics and learn to master the art of ninjutsu if he is to claim his birthright as head of the ninja family.

The manuscript is complete at 83,000-words and is envisioned as a multi-book series. The author has trained in authentic ninjutsu for over 20+ years, earning his 5th degree black belt directly from the 34th Grandmaster of Togakure-ryu Ninjutsu in February 2003. The books would be interactive with actual teaching segments of the techniques learned by the main character available for readers to study and learn. Read the book, experience the adventure.