John Jiambalvo studied English Literature at the University of Illinois at Chicago and at the University of Chicago. He has held several sales and marketing positions in the Midwest and is also the author of a book of poetry, Shadows Walking Among Questions. An avid reader of American and European history, Jiambalvo frames Smirk: A Novel, his satirical representation of recent political events, in a way that emphasizes the novelties and distortions of American tradition that have occurred during the last several years.