Brian Jay Jones is a Maryland-based writer and biographer whose first book, Washington Irving: An American Original was awarded the St. Nicholas Society of New York’s Medal for Literary Excellence in 2010. He is presently at work on the first authorized biography of Muppet creator Jim Henson for Random House. When he’s not writing, he loves listening to classic jazz and blues, admires the films of Charlie Chaplin, reads anything having to do with Batman or the Beatles, and generally succeeds in trying the patience of his wife and daughter. You can visit him online at www.brianjayjones.com.