Duane Schwartz, a native of Minnesota’s picturesque Mesabi Iron Range, lives a quiet life in the country with his wife, Betty, where they enjoy a variety of hobbies: hiking in the woods, motorcycle touring, classic cars, and, of course, writing.

Schwartz is a published short-story author and novelist. His first book, Cobb’s Landing, released in May, 2009, is the story of a mob owned and operated resort in the deep forests of Minnesota during the days of prohibition. His second, Calumet, on bookshelves in December, is a fictionalized account of the early days of a mining community and its troubles as its residents struggle to form their own government, fighting the powerful mining company and its KKK enforcers who want all control. His third novel, Little Cicero, is hitting bookshelves and on line book seller's sites as of June 25, 2010.

His work is setting inspired but character driven, providing a subtle combination that captures his audience in a way which places the reader in the story rather than in the role of spectator to the theme. He attributes this ability to a long life in business and sales where he has had ample opportunity to study others from all walks of life, an interest in history (nostalgia plays a large part in capturing the interest of his readers, most folks hungry for a fresh look at a simpler day), and the way the past seems to reveal itself to him as he studies old towns, deserted homesteads, farms, resorts, and the like.

Schwartz’s goal with regards to his writing is to introduce through his stories, the natural beauty that surrounds him in his native state, and give the world a fresh view of Minnesota’s iron ore country and its fascinating people and their varied histories.