Linda Zimmermann’s
Personal File

Earning a B.S. in Chemistry and a Master’s in English Literature made it obvious early on that Linda had wide ranging interests. After working as a research scientist throughout the 1980s, she decided to pursue her real passion—writing.

Today, Linda is the author of over 20 books, is a popular speaker, and has made numerous appearances on television and radio. She has received honors and awards for her books on American history, and in 2011 she won the Silver Medal for Humor for "Bad Science" in the Independent Publishers Awards. She has lectured at the Smithsonian, West Point, and Gettysburg, as well as at national conventions, universities, and Mensa events. Astronomy and the space program are also favorite topics for her books, articles and lectures. In addition, Linda has appeared at major science fiction conventions for her two novels. So, with all these varied achievements, how on earth did she ever start writing about ghosts?

Several years ago, Linda was giving a series of history lectures for the bicentennial of Rockland County, in southern New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley. One evening, someone asked about local ghosts and legends, so Linda told the one ghost story she knew. A few days later, she received a call. The excited voice on the other end of the line said, "I hear you give ghost talks!" Linda then added a few more ghost stories to her lectures, word spread, and by the end of the series, more people were showing up to hear about the ghosts than the history.

"From that point, my research into ghosts took on a life of its own," Linda explains (pun most definitely intended). "At first I just interviewed people who thought they had seen a ghost, but then the scientist in me wanted to personally conduct investigations."

Her experience in historical research has also been valuable in trying to find out about the events and people in a place’s past, which might help to explain current unusual events.

While she plans to continue investigating all things haunted, she also has several history and science book projects in mind. She also enjoys kayaking, swimming, and painting, whenever she has the time. But then, it’s all just a matter of time--just ask any ghost…