Meet the Author

Michael Lauer grew up in Buffalo, NY, and read lots of Kurt Vonnegut, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Joseph Heller. In real life, he earned an accounting degree from Canisius College and spent nearly 40 years as a bank consultant.

But there is only so much creativity you can have with an accounting degree without landing in jail. So after failing as a guitarist and bassist, he started writing books. And listening to music while writing. And wondering how to combine the two.

Michael is the author of two novels, The Complete History of Cheektowaga (As I Remember It) (2017) and Free (Against My) Will (2019). He also wrote a biography, Rock the Hard Way (2023) and co-authored a Christian book, Idolatry – Breaking Your Marriage Covenant With God in 2021.

He lives in Pittsburgh with his wife of more than 30 years, and has unleashed three adult kids into the world.

Favorite Bands

• Genesis

• Blue Oyster Cult

• Marillion

• Kansas

• Rush

• IQ

• Pink Floyd

• Iron Maiden