Ed Kostro is an award winning writer, author, and local newspaper columnist with a passion for nature, our environment, our valiant veterans, our pets, our wildlife, Native American culture, nostalgia, and humor.
He is also a veterans' advocate, environmentalist, animal rights activist, animal rescue worker, and proud member of The World Wildlife Fund, The Wilderness Society, The National Wildlife Federation, Defenders of Wildlife, The Sierra Club, The National Parks Conservation Association, In Defense of Animals, The Humane Society of the United States, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Great Animal Rescue Chase, and Alley Cat Allies.
Ed has published six nature, historical fiction, and animal related books, and his Katrina Remembrance book, Through Katrina’s Eyes, Poems from an Animal Rescuer’s Soul, is the recipient of the 2006 Merial Corporation Human-Animal Bond Award. His animal memoir, Curious Creatures – Wondrous Waifs, My Life With Animals, was awarded a Certificate of Excellence in the 2004 International Cat Writers’ Association Communication Contest.
And his latest book, Where The Redwing Sings, is dedicated to today's children - Earth's only hope for a better tomorrow. It won the 'Poetry Category' in the 2009 Green Book Festival.
Ed’s nature and animal related articles, stories, poems, and professional reviews of his books have appeared on The Animal Planet and Discovery websites; The Midwest Book Review; WGN Radio; the nationally syndicated Animal Radio Network; Animal People Newspaper; Audubon Society and various pet rescue organization newsletters; The Best Friends Animal Society Network; Kinship Circle; PetLife Magazine; Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover’s Soul; Catholic Digest; The Copperfield Review - A Journal of Historical Fiction, GRIT Magazine; Poetry Life and Times; America’s Rivers; The Almanac For Farmers & City Folk; Pets: Part of the Family Magazine; I Love Cats Magazine; The Cat Site; PetsWeekly.com; The Daily Mews; and The Great Animal Rescue Chase.He has been interviewed regarding his veteran and animal advocacy work on several television and radio stations; on nationally syndicated All Pets Radio; and on the National Progressive Radio Network.
Ed was also awarded a 2004 True Grit Award by GRIT Magazine for his veteran and animal advocacy work, nominated for a Red Cross Hero Award for his animal rescue work, and several of his Katrina pet rescue poems can be found on: www.allpetsradio.com
His tribute to the animals of the world, and for our need to help preserve nature and Earth’s wild animals for future generations to come can be found at: www.myspace.com/edkostro
Ed currently resides in Chicago with his lovely wife Rebecca, several dogs and cats that he rescued in the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, and several more that he has now rescued from the mean city streets.
Birth Place: Chicago, IL
Accomplishments: Bachelor of Arts Degree, Four years active duty in the Armed Forces; 30-year career as a veterans' advocate; recipient of the 2006 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award; winner of the Poetry Category in the 2009 Green Book Festival; life-long admiration and ardent love of Nature, and all of our nonhuman earthly neighbors.
Where The Redwing Sings by Mr. Ed A book of nature inspired poems and essays, written from the heart and soul of a life-long nature, animal, and wilderness lover, and dedicated to today’s children - Earth's only hope for a better tomorrow.
This book won 'The Poetry Category' in the 2009 Green Book Festival.
... Amazon.com,
Booklocker.com
My Dog Is My Hero by Mr. Ed Tributes To The Companions
Who Give Us Love, Loyalty, and a New Leash on Life
... Amazon.com,
Curious Creatures - Wondrous Waifs, My Life with Animals by Mr. Ed I’ve encountered many non-human creatures on my life’s journey.
I have found each and every one of these animals to be a unique and wondrous being.
Animals have truly brought fullness to my life. Some of them have also brought deep anguish and pain.
Each person or animal depicted in this book has taught me something. Some of these lessons have been humorous, some pai... Amazon.com,
Cemetery Island by Mr. Ed Sometimes, vacations just don't turn out the way you hoped they would. An idyllic wilderness house boating get-a-way soon turns into a hellish nightmare...... Amazon.com,
iUniverse
Gold River Canyon by Mr. Ed Renowned Arizona lawman Jacob Golden is having terrible nightmares. He dreams he’s locked in a battle to the death with a demon from hell that consumes human flesh.
Golden’s a man who fears little, yet this haunting vision terrifies him to the depths of his very soul.
And, just when he should be the happiest man alive.
He’s finally hung up his tin star after 20 years ... Amazon.com,
Booklocker.com
Yet Another 'Holiday of Terror' for Them by Mr. Ed I Now Hate The So Called Fourth of July Holiday Because In My Area, The Atrocious Fireworks Now Go On and On and On, For Weeks... Wildwood at Sunrise by Mr. Ed I find myself spending more and more time with Nature lately;
In this sad old world, Nature is the only thing that still comforts me.
... Ode To My Cat Woman by Mr. Ed
Pets Weekly
Your Source For All Things Pet - Established by AD Member Stacy Mantle, and a wonderful website to learn all sorts of interesting things, about all sorts of critters - great and small.
Additional information
One of Ed's numerous short stories - Pigeon Head - placed in the Quarter Finalist List of the 2003 New Century Writers' Awards Competition.
His essay, I Cry, depicting the devastation wreaked on animals and nature by modern day urban sprawl has been featured in numerous publications.
Ed was honored by GRIT Magazine and presented a TRUE GRIT Award for his veteran advocacy and animal rescue work, and one of his short stories - Princess Gabriella's Worst Day, won Third Place in a national contest sponsored by I Love Cats Magazine.
Ed's nonfiction memoir, Curious Creatures-Wondrous Waifs has been featured on The Assisi Animal Foundation website, on Animal Radio, and on the Discovery/Animal Planet website.
