“My advice to aspiring writers: write what you love and not what’s hot. If you enjoy what you’re writing you’ll be more likely to finish it, rewrite and improve it, and market it when the time comes.”

Dale Brown

Dale Brown was born in Buffalo, New York, on November 2, 1956. He graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Western European History. While in college, he joined the ROTC and received an Air Force commission in 1978. He became a navigator-bombardier (now known as a weapons system operator) on fighter jets and received many decorations and awards. 

Before leaving the Air Force in 1986, he wrote his first book, Flight of the Old Dog, published in 1987. Since then, he’s written 45 more aviation techno-thriller novels, including the Dreamland and Puppetmaster series. His latest book is Eagle Station (2020)

In 2004 Brown pleaded guilty to tax fraud in an offshore tax scheme that nearly ruined his publishing career and left him bankrupt. He admitted he was selfish and greedy and eventually regained his momentum, hitting the best-selling list a dozen more times.

He and his wife Diane, a retired Police lieutenant and pilot, had one son Hunter, who passed away in August 2020. 

Lesson from Brown:

Brown writes about what he knew and was interested in. He continues to fly as a mission pilot in the Civil Air Patrol and a command pilot in Angel Flight West, a charitable flying organization. Breaking up his writing with his other passion for flying helps to keep him inspired.