Hugh Howey
Before becoming a full-time writer, Hugh Howey (born 1975) lived a colorful life full of travel and diverse occupations. He worked as a computer technician, a roofer, and a bookstore clerk. However, his greatest passion—alongside writing—was sailing. He worked as a professional yacht captain for many years, often living aboard his boats.
He wrote his breakout novella, Wool, during his breaks while working at a university bookstore, choosing to self-publish it online