Michael N. McGregor is an author and former professor of creative writing whose first book, Pure Act: The Uncommon Life of Robert Lax, was a finalist for the Religion Newswriters Association's Book of the Year. The American Association of University Publishers named Pure Act one of its top ten books in American Studies for libraries and it is now available in over 1,100 libraries around the world. The New York Times Book Review described it as ?vivid and engaging,? and the Oregonian called it ?deeply satisfying.?

McGregor has been a guest on NPR's ?Talk of the Nation? and Oregon Public Broadcasting's ?Think Out Loud.? He has also recorded podcast segments for Poetry magazine, City Lights Bookstore, Late Night Library, and Urban Roots. During his twenty-five years of university teaching, he received multiple outstanding teacher awards. He lives in Seattle.