Richard Mahler believes being a writer is the best job in the world. He sees it as a passport to explore new places, ideas, people, emotions, and perspectives. "I couldn't imagine doing anything else for a living," he says. For decades, Richard has used this passport to write about arts, culture, health, politics, conservation, travel, indigenous peoples, the media, and personal transformation. As a newspaper columnist, he has told stories of the interesting but little-known New Mexicans who make his state the most quirky and independent in the U.S. Richard has written thousands of articles for hundreds of print and on-line publications, in addition to being an independent radio producer and commentator. He has authored (or co-authored) 13 books, including a murder mystery introducing Sara Strong as an offbeat sleuth, recipe-filled summary of Santa Fe's best restaurants, a travel guide to Palm Springs, meditations on the rewards of gardening and of aging, and a memoir about the 97 days he spent in the stillness and solitude of an alpine wilderness. When not writing, Richard is a free-lance editor, publisher, and website developer. He loves to hike in the deserts and mountains near his home atop the Continental Divide. Richard invites comments on his work via www.RichardMahler.com or, for Sara Strong mysteries, www.HowIFoundTheBestSexEver.com.