Jay Freeman has always regarded science fiction and fantasy as travel guides to the future, which he used assiduously to study and prepare for the trip: In 1952, at the age of six, he wanted to be a rocket pilot and explore other worlds. Unfortunately, he had been born on a planet where spaceflight was an escapist fantasy for losers. Notwithstanding, he ended up writing flight-control software for an outfit whose corporate goal is the colonization of Mars. Go figure. Jay's other SF&F-related activities include levitation (in small airplanes), cloning higher life forms (roses), first-hand study and observation of far-distant worlds (amateur astronomy), dealing every day with strange alien beings (cats), and playing electric guitar (no parenthetical explanation needed). He has five academic degrees, none of which have had anything to do with his career or employment. He lives in Redondo Beach and wants to be a dilettante if he grows up.