Delighted to be featured in the Florida News line with an article by Tiffany Merlo Phelps:
Authors Tracy Tripp and Edward Mickolus may have taken very different paths in life, but their passion for books, writing and fulfilling their purpose in life is very much the same. The two decided to collaborate on a crime thriller book after meeting at a St. Augustine book fair in 2018 and becoming friends.
The book, “White Noise Whispers,” won the duo second place at the Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Literary Awards in the Mystery or Crime category. Mickolus gives all the credit to Tripp, the principal author. “She is able to sit in the heads of all of her characters and make them all sensitive, understandable and likable,” said Mickolus.
Tripp, 54, grew up in a small town in upstate New York on a dairy farm, one of seven children, working to put herself through college at SUNY Oswego and then Buffalo State College for graduate school to become a teacher. She taught both English and science, but ended up focusing on language arts. After having three children and later moving to Julington Creek in 2012, she took a class through a children’s writing institute and Gotham Writers’ Workshop. She started to write and eventually published her first novel “Parting Gifts” in 2021. “It is such a journey to go from a thought to a book,” said Tripp, who now has written five novels and two children’s books. Tripp is also a substitute teacher in St. Johns County.
Mickolus, 73, grew up in Michigan, the son of a Ford Motor Company dynamometer test engineer. He attended Georgetown University on a Ford Motor Company scholarship and then pursued graduate studies at Yale University via a National Science Foundation fellowship. He then served in various positions in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for 33 years, where he was CIA’s first full time analyst on international terrorism; analyzed African political economic, social, military and leadership issues; wrote political-psychological assessments of world leaders; and managed collection, counterintelligence and covert action programs against terrorist, drug traffickers, weapons proliferators and hostile espionage services. He has written 50 books so far, ranging from terrorism studies to humor. Mickolus moved to Nocatee in 2013.
Q: What future projects do you have in the works?
TT: I have a sixth novel currently in the editing phase. I used my life as a backdrop, and I weaved in a mafia and a murder that did not happen.
EM: I have five books in the works, including International Terrorist Events 2023-2024, All the Presidents’ Heroes: Inspirational Stories from State of the Union Honorees, Famous Last Meals, Naked Came the Spy and its sequel and Stories by the Side of the Road.
Q: Who are some of your favorite authors?
TT: I like Jodi Picoult, Abraham Verghese and Jojo Moyes to name a few.
EM: Tracy Tripp, Dave Berry, Jeffery Deaver, Carl Hiaasen, Roger von Oech, Joseph Wambaugh, Ed McBain also just to name a few.
Q: What are your hobbies?
TT: I like to play tennis, practice yoga and workout. I love to spend time with my family and to travel.
EM: I have collected 1,700 fashion challenged neck ties from about 30 nations. Ties are one of the few pieces of men’s clothing that allow us to express our individuality. I also love classic cars, acting in the Performing Arts Club of Del Webb, teaching at the University of North Florida, stand-up comedy and trivia.
Q: What is your life philosophy?
TT: I once heard this at church, and it really spoke to me. God is going to call you to do something, and your job is to do it. The outcome is up to Him. Accept it. Success is that you followed through.
EM: I am really motivated by service and assisting others. I was able to do that by working at the agency. Now, I really enjoy mentoring and teaching students and serving as a lector at church.
Q: Share a little about your family.
TT: My husband of 29 years is Steve Tripp. We have three adult children, two daughters, 21 and 20, and a 24-year-old son (first grandchild in October).
EM: My wife of 41 years is Susan Schjelderup. We have one 36-year-old daughter and an 18-month old granddaughter.
Photo by Tiffany Merlo Phelps
