James Preller was born in 1961 in Wantagh New York. He attended college in Oneonta, New York. After graduating from college in 1983, he was employed as a waiter for one year before being hired as a copywriter by Scholastic Corporation, where he was introduced through their books to many noatable children's authors. This inspired him to try writing his own books. He published his first book, entitled MAXX TRAX: Avalanche Rescue, in 1986. His other titles include: Justin Fisher Declares War!, A Pirate's Guide to First Grade, Feiwel and Friends, and Before You Go, Feiwel and Friends.