With Texas roots, Terry Balagia, was born and raised in Austin. His family was always surrounded by books. Growing up, Terry made frequent trips with his mother, who was also on the library board, to the local branch. They would play hide and seek at the Austin Public Library where his mother would also check out upwards of twenty books a week.

Terry recalls coming home from class one day while in college and telling his mom, “I know now what I am here to do…I want to write books. I want to be a novelist.” But he additionally fell in love with copywriting and went straight to New York to start his advertising career after he graduated from the University of Texas. Terry rose to the ranks of executive creative director and management in major agencies. After a celebrated career writing and producing numerous national advertising campaigns and winning more than his share of creative awards, it was time for Terry’s other lifelong dream to write novels.

Back in November of 2017, while editing two earlier manuscripts Terry was hit with a most unusual bolt of intuition. This inspiration led Terry on his quest resulting in him spending the next four years writing THE HUNT FOR FREDERICK DOUGLASS ensconced in his home in California.