Bob Morris (born May 25, 1950) is an American novelist who writes Caribbean-themed mysteries. He is also the author of several collections of nonfiction, including ''Gut Check'', ''Short Road to Hell'', ''The Man with the Fish on His Foot'', ''All Over the Map'', and ''The Whole Shebang''. Morris is president of Story Farm, a custom publishing company that creates books, magazines and other publications for a wide variety of clients. He is an adjunct professor at Rollins College and teaches courses in food writing and crime fiction.

Biography

Bob Morris is a fourth-generation Floridian who forsook the family farm – a fernery in Lake County – to pursue a career in journalism. The route was indirect. After failing two consecutive terms of organic chemistry, Morris decided he was not cut out to be a marine biologist and set out to travel around the world instead. His travels took him to a farming commune in Israel where his responsibilities included shoveling out the daily deposits of 12,000 chickens and 12,000 turkeys. After graduating from the

University of Florida The University of Florida (Florida or UF) is a public university, public land-grant university, land-grant research university in Gainesville, Florida, United States. It is a senior member of the State University System of Florida and a preem ...

, Morris went on to work at a number of newspapers, including the ''Florida Keys Free Press'', the ''

Fort Myers News-Press ''The News-Press'' is a daily broadsheet newspaper located in Fort Myers, Florida, serving primarily Lee County, as well as parts of Hendry, Collier, and Charlotte Counties. The paper publishes several editions of its "Local & State" (metro) ...

'', the ''

Orlando Sentinel The ''Orlando Sentinel'' is the primary newspaper of Orlando, Florida, and the Central Florida region, in the United States. It was founded in 1876 and is currently owned by Tribune Publishing Company. The ''Orlando Sentinel'' is owned by pare ...

'', and the ''New York Times'' Regional Newspaper Group. Among his achievements is founding the annual Queen Kumquat Sashay, a parade in downtown

Orlando Orlando commonly refers to: * Orlando, Florida, a city in the United States Orlando may also refer to: People * Orlando (given name), a masculine name, includes a list of people with the name * Orlando (surname), includes a list of people wit ...

founded in 1986 and discontinued in 1997. Morris and his family spent two years in

Santa Barbara, California Santa Barbara (, meaning ) is a coastal city in Santa Barbara County, California, of which it is also the county seat. Situated on a south-facing section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States excepting A ...

, where he created and launched AQUA, an international travel magazine for watersports enthusiasts. Upon returning to Florida in 1999, he was editor in chief of ''Caribbean Travel & Life'' magazine and ''Gulfshore Life'' magazine. Now a freelance writer and editor, Morris continues to travel widely and contributes to a number of publications, including ''

National Geographic Traveler ''National Geographic Traveler'' is a magazine published by National Geographic Partners, NG Media in Armenia, Belgium, the Netherlands, China, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Latin America, Israel, Poland, Romania, Slov ...

'', ''

Bon Appétit ''Bon Appétit'' is a monthly American food and entertaining magazine, that typically contains recipes, entertaining ideas, restaurant recommendations, and wine reviews. Owned by Condé Nast, it is headquartered at the One World Trade Center ...

'', ''Islands'', ''

Robb Report The ''Robb Report'' is an American, English-language, luxury- lifestyle magazine featuring products, including automobiles, aviation, boating, real estate and watches. Founded in 1976, it is currently owned by Penske Media Corporation. It also ...

'', ''Latitudes'' and ''

Men's Fitness ''Men's Fitness'' was a men's magazine published by American Media, Inc and founded in the United States in 1987. The premier issue featured Michael Pare from the television series '' The Greatest American Hero''. The magazine's slogan was "How ...

''. These travels have inspired his recent series of mystery novels from

St. Martin's Press St. Martin's Press is a book publisher headquartered in Manhattan in New York City. It is headquartered in the Equitable Building (New York City), Equitable Building. St. Martin's Press is considered one of the largest English-language publishe ...

, each of which takes place on a different Caribbean island. The first one, '' Bahamarama'', was released in November 2004 and was a finalist for the

Edgar Allan Poe Award The Edgar Allan Poe Awards, popularly called the Edgars, are presented every year by the Mystery Writers of America which is based in New York City. Named after American writer Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849), a pioneer in the genre, the awards honor ...

for Best First Mystery Novel and chosen by the ''

Library Journal ''Library Journal'' is an American trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey. It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional prac ...

'' as one of the year's Top Five Mysteries. Morris's second novel, '' Jamaica Me Dead'', was released in October 2005 and was a

BookSense The American Booksellers Association (ABA) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1900 that promotes independent bookstores in the United States. ABA's core members are key participants in their communities' local economy and culture, and to ...

Pick by the

American Booksellers Association The American Booksellers Association (ABA) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1900 that promotes independent bookstores in the United States. ABA's core members are key participants in their communities' local economy and culture, and to ...

. His third book, ''

Bermuda Schwartz Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz (born August 18, 1956) is a drummer best known for working with the singer-songwriter "Weird Al" Yankovic. The two met while recording " Another One Rides the Bus" at the Dr. Demento show on September 14, 1980. Shortly af ...

'', a Florida Book Award bronze medal winner released in February 2007. His fourth book in the series, '' A Deadly Silver Sea'', published in late 2008 and his fifth book in the series, '' Baja Florida'', in January 2010.

Bibliography

*'' Bahamarama'' (2004), *'' Jamaica Me Dead'' (2005), *''

'' (2007), *'' A Deadly Silver Sea'' (2008), *'' Baja Florida'' (2009),

References

External links

"Surrounded on Three Sides"
at blogspot.com
"Official website"
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Morris, Robert 1950 births Living people 21st-century American novelists American columnists American male novelists American mystery writers People from Lake County, Florida University of Florida alumni Novelists from Florida People from Winter Park, Florida 21st-century American male writers 21st-century American non-fiction writers American male non-fiction writers Ernie Pyle Award winners