Ed Ahrens was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1934 and came to this country in 1939. His father was with the United States government and wisely decided to whisk his son out of the country before he was drafted into the Hitler Youth! Ed presently lives with his wife, Encarnita, in Lithia, Florida. He and Encarnita lost their spouses several years ago. Ed has two sons, both of whom, with their families, reside in the Tampa Bay area. Encarnita has a son and a daughter, both of whom Ed warmly regards as also his children, as she does his. Ed received his undergraduate and juris doctor degrees from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, and also graduated from Columbia University’s Senior Executive Program in Business Administration. Ed is an attorney, a member of the Florida Bar since 1962. In 1993, after forty-two years of service, he retired from Florida Power & Light Company where he was its senior and managing attorney and assistant corporate secretary. He was a charter member, President and Director of the South Florida Chapter of the American Corporate Counsel Association; President of Southeastern Claims Association; and Chairman of the Claims Committee of Edison Electric Institute. He now divides his time between mediating legal disputes and freelance writing. He is certified as a mediator by the Florida Supreme Court and the U. S. District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, is certified by National Arbitration and Mediation to serve as a Hearing Officer, and is a Diplomate Member of the Florida Academy of Professional Mediators, Inc. He is a member of the National Writers Association and a member and past president of its South Florida Chapter. His publications include articles in the American Bar Association’s Barrister; ACCA Docket; Mediation Monthly; Business Laws, Inc.; and The Florida Bar. His short stories and essays also have appeared in Writers’ Journal; Innisfree; AIM; Sun and Shade; and other periodicals. Ed's published books include the first and second editions of "The Perils of Imprudent Writing, How to Watch What You Write and Stay Out of Court;" a novel, "Already Walks Tomorrow;" and, "Ed'sitorials on Mediation, A Curmudgeon's Wit and Wisdom on the Perils and Pearls of Mediation."

The pleasure of writing is the only reward I seek. Meaningless plaques cover my walls.