Paul McComas is the author of four critically acclaimed books: two novels, Planet of the Dates (2008, optioned for adaptation as a Hollywood feature) and Unplugged (the best-reviewed small-press novel of 2002), and the short-story collections Twenty Questions (1998, now in its third printing) and Unforgettable: Harrowing Futures, Horrors, & (Dark) Humor (2011; a Second Prize winner at the 2012 Midwest Book Awards). He’s also the editor of two anthologies, First Person Imperfect (2004) and Further Persons Imperfect (2007). Paul recently co-authored the novel Logan’s Journey (slated for 2014 publication) with William F. Nolan, bestselling author of the SF classic Logan’s Run, and is currently editing an anthology of “place-based fiction” called Proving Grounds.

His short narrative films and videos have garnered international, national, and regional prizes, been screened at festivals worldwide, and been shown on network, public, and cable TV.

A two-time recipient of the Chicago Reader’s “Critic’s Choice” in Theater/Performance, Paul is as acclaimed for his live presentations as for his writing; the Chicago Tribune calls his performances “urgent and mesmerizing,” and the Chicago Sun-Times says, “No one is giving author events as lively.” He has performed his own work at ninety theaters and other venues nationwide, as well as on National Public Radio’s “Tavis Smiley Show” and on numerous NPR affiliates.

Since 1998, Paul has taught writing, literature, and film at numerous sites and at multiple levels, from adult-ed to Master’s programs, winning teaching awards from Northwestern and National-Louis universities. He has been a Visiting Artist at twenty universities, academies, and arts-centered high schools, and he lectures about literature and writing nationwide, in part through Chicago’s News & Views speakers’ bureau.

Paul founded the teen-suicide-prevention program Rock Against Depression (1995–2000) and received the Mental Health Association’s Distinguished Service Award. He is a member of the National Leadership Council of the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN). Paul’s anthologies, charity concerts, Dayna Clay CD, No-Budget Theatre DVD, and Amateur two-CD set have raised $11,000 to date for RAINN, mental-health outreach, wilderness preservation, at-risk youth, and blood services (he has donated 110 pints).

Paul has received grants from the Illinois Arts Council, the Evanston Arts Council, Northwestern University, and Notre Dame University.

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Paul earned a BA in English from Lawrence University and an MA in Film from Northwestern.

He and wife Heather, a fellow fiction writer, live in Evanston, IL, with their adopted rescue greyhound, Sam.