Freelance writer Michael T. Dolan lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He attended Villanova University where he majored in English and Sociology. One of his stories, “The Angel That Couldn't Fly,” was featured in The Simple Touch of Fate (iUniverse, 2003), a collection of over 50 compelling and captivating stories which raise questions about fate, coincidence and divine intervention. His first novel, Walden has been described as a "satirical, tragic and poignant ... coming-of-age story". The novel was published in 2006 by Conversari House.

In a recent interview Michael T. Dolan spoke about his writing.

What is your latest book about?

Walden is a novel about individualism, revolution and freedom. It's Catcher in the Rye with a 21st-century university setting. Young Walden is struggling to find his identity, and the resulting day detailed in the novel depicts this struggle.

How long did it take you to write it?

The novel was written off and on over the course of about two years. It was published in September 2006 by Conversari House (West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA).

Which aspects of the work that you put into the book did you find most difficult?

Nothing jumps to mind. The story germinated in my mind for a long time, and when I finally put pen to paper, it flowed pretty quickly.

Above everything, I enjoyed the journey of discovery. When I sat down to write Walden, I knew what the first page and the last page would be - the rest was all a blank slate. And so I just wrote. And as I wrote, each chapter wrote itself, creating the plot, stories and characters that it needed. When I would get to the end of a chapter, I'd look back and say to myself, "Where the hell did that come from? That's exactly what I wanted!"

The subconscious creator is a powerful thing, but it requires trust to forge ahead when the path is unknown.

What will your next book be about?

I am currently at work on a book that takes on what it means to be a "man" in today's society. Set in a nice suburban development, it will satirize the plight of the suburban man in poignant and humorous ways.