I am an award-winning journalist, critic, educator and author of nine books. My first novel, Under the Boardwalk, was a New York Times Notable Book of 1988.

My work has appeared in more than forty national and regional publications, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Magazine, Art & Antiques, Kirkus Reviews and New Jersey Monthly. I currently write for two regional lifestyle monthlies, Middleburg Life and Ashburn Magazine.

I have taught novel writing, literature and journalism at the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University and Rutgers University. I have also lectured in history and biography.

I was educated at Oberlin College, with majors in English and Religion, minors in History and Classics. While attending Oberlin, I learned French Culinary Technology in the Experimental College, and the art of the circus clown in an Arena Performance Workshop led by Bill Irwin. I went on to study archaeology in Israel as part of the Joint Expedition to Tel El Hesi.

I have a black belt in Shotokhan Karate. I also have some knowledge of aikido, kenpo, judo, tai chi and krav maga. I do yoga, go for an occasional run and bicycle ride.

I have traveled in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and South America. My favorite thing to do when I’m away from home is to walk aimlessly until I find a convenient place to sit. Then I let my surroundings introduce themselves to me. When I’m in a museum, I’ll only look at a few paintings or exhibits because I’d rather get a deep experience of a few things than a shallow glance at many.

I live in Northern Virginia, where I am married to Janet, my high school sweetheart. When we were dating in high school, Jan’s mother referred to me as “That Bill Kent.” Jan is an astronomer with a specialty in asteroids. She has retired from teaching science.

We have two sons, Brandon, an IT executive who helped me with this web page, and Stephen, a statistician, and two grandsons, Kai and Aaron. When Brandon’s wife, Charron, a professional photographer (and mother of Kai), saw a sculpture, and remarked that she had always wanted to use it as a backdrop, I impulsively asked her to take my picture in front of the work. That photo is reproduced here.

We also have two West Highland terriers named Cowboy and Athena, who insist on walking me at least twice a day.