Picture this... Manchester, New Hampshire. 1976.

On a snowy day in December, a screaming, reddish purple blob emerges into the room at the Elliot Hospital. And so, Christopher Byron is born.

He hasn’t changed much since.

Chris spent his time growing up moving back and forth between New Hampshire and New Bedford, Massachusetts. With his family divided, where he found himself usually depended on which parent he was arguing with at the time. Or, more frequently, where he felt he could get away with more... shall we say, high-spiritedness. Wherever he went, his books, guitars, and imagination went with him. Really, what else do you need.

His greatest school influences were Mr. Richard Cleary – sixth grade, and Mme. Ruth Billings – middle school. Both of these kind hearts served to shape the mind and life that would become Christopher Byron in ways they could never have imagined.

In 1991, Chris made the most influential move of his life when he joined the mayhem that is, to this day, New Bedford High School. Understanding that the “Rock Star” dream was to be his reality, he bent all of his efforts at that goal. In time, he joined with the family that was God’s Cousin, Phil. If you were there, you understand. If not, you never will. The creative maelstrom born of that union survives today in some of the life-long friendships that inspire and support when it seems nothing else can. It seems melodramatic, I know. Deal with it.

Also in NBHS, Chris met the girl who would become his wife. More than a decade later, she is still putting up with him. How she does it, nobody really knows. Together, they now have two beautiful children who constantly contribute to Chris’ ever depleting wallet and supply of hair... At least the part they haven’t caused to turn gray.

Music led the direction of his life. Long after high school, Chris pursued the dream, chasing it as far from New England as Central Florida. In Orlando he joined the team of Sam Ash Music Stores. This outlet provided him some more true friends and opportunities to play in bands with amazingly talented individuals. Until severe arthritis in his hands reduced his former dreams to “What would never be” status.

Throwing himself into his work, Chris excelled in sales, then in management for Sam Ash, assuming Senior Manager status in two stores. But, robbed of his creative outlet, he felt something missing. What could he do that would give him the feeling of freedom once provided in song? What other passion could unleash the flood now restrained by unhappy chance?

The answer hit him one day driving home. You could say it crashed into him like an Escalade blowing a red light at the intersection of Buena Ventura Blvd. and the Osceola Parkway. In an instant, the entire outline of his first novel, Push, consumed him. He would WRITE!

Over the years and months since then he has strived to grow as a writer every day. Painstakingly developing the storylines jumbled around in his head to create realistic fantasy that readers can embrace, and characters that compel. In his new book, Empty Shells, he hopes to tap into some of his own greatest fears.

And just maybe, yours too.

Keep listening.