As editor-in-chief of Del Sol Press, Neff founded the Robert Olen Butler Short Fiction Prize for exeptional writers of short fiction, and the Del Sol Press Poetry Prize for poetry collections. His most recent literary creation is the blog, The Writer's Edge, co-hosted with Anthony Policastro, Chris Stewart, Paula Marguiles, and agent Richard Curtis.

In 2003, Michael Neff founded and directed the Algonkian Writer Conferences on the shores of the Potomac River in Virginia. Since that time, the organization has expanded to include events and conferences around the country such as the NYC Pitch and Shop and the Fisherman's Wharf Writer Conference in San Francisco. Neff's motto is From the heart, but smart. He preaches the art of passion and rigorous training, frank feedback, and the mental toughness necessary to become a published author. Algonkian Writer Conferences are regularly attended by published authors and MFA graduates for the purpose of obtaining new skills and connections.

In 2007, Michael Neff wrote, casted, and produced a short film entitled, BAD BOSS THEORY--adapted from a scene in his forthcoming novel from Red Hen Press, YEAR OF THE RHINOCEROS. The novel portrays the plight of those who hopelessly resisted the corporate invasion of Washington in the 1980's. It is a story of power politics, love, betrayal, and revenge. At such time a young liberal from the heartland arrives in Washington, searching for a meaningful career and determined to do the right thing, he no sooner lands his dream job than he discovers himself thrust into a human dimension far darker and more alien than he could ever have imagined, a world he cannot comprehend or overcome until he learns to trust a rebellious co-worker and become part of her bold plan to bring down the White House regime.

Pre-release articles and interviews with Michael Neff concerning YEAR OF THE RHINOCEROS can be found at Eclectica, Pif Magazine, and an audio interview at Belinda's GA Show. A clip from BAD BOSS THEORY can be seen to the left. According to Neff, it took ten hours to get ten minutes worth of usable film. The scene was shot on location with actors Leo Goodman and Monalisa Arias, and directed by Rahmin Atarod. Both Neff and Atarod agreed that film noir effect established the mood.

Michael Neff's literary work has also appeared in many prominent publications, including North American Review, Quarterly West, Pittsburgh Quarterly, The Literary Review, American Way Magazine, and Conjunctions, as well as several Internet publications. He was one of the winners of the first Imitation William Faulkner Contest sponsored by the University of Mississippi, and he has served as judge for various writing contests, including the 2001 Writer's Digest Finalist Prize for best short fiction. His literary influences include Jayne Anne Philips, Marquez, Sartre, Fitzgerald, Flannery O'Connor, Ken Kesey, and Dostoevsky. He holds degrees in English and Political Science from Florida State University.

In the 1980's and early 90's he worked in Washington D.C. as a federal government GS'r under Reagan, Bush Sr., and Clinton. He left government employment, defined as a whistleblower for telling the truth about ongoing corruption in his agency. Prior to Uncle Sam he worked as a brick mason, roofer, waiter, telemarketer (for two weeks), salesman, and Royal American Shows carney. His two favorite pursuits are writing and traveling (when he has the time).

His favorite film comedy is The Big Lebowski. His favorite novel is One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. His favorite 60's TV show is The Beverly Hillbillies, his favorite musical group, Steely Dan, and his favorite food is Huevos Rancheros (in Sausalito, CA).

Michael Neff was born and raised in Florida. His mother was Jewish and his father was Swiss Catholic. As a young boy he was forced to go to Catholic school for 12 long years.

This explains many things.

|
____________________________

Comments or questions? Write to Michael.