Michael Gross began writing Spillage in 1976, the year the story takes place, while working as Managing Editor of Fiction magazine, teaching, and earning his MFA at New York's City College. He also has a BA from Trinity College and an MBA from NYU, and was the recipient of a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. In 1978, he embarked on a 45 year career in crisis communications, culminating in his serving as CEO of Finsbury (now FGS Global). He is married, has three children and three grandchildren, and divides his time between Brooklyn and Fire Island.