About David Baker

Who is David Baker? I’m an author, playwright, marketing professional, blogger and freelance editor. I have ghost-written several books and authored dozens of published articles on such topics as business technology, the insurance industry, public safety, marketing and data security. In fiction, I write both YA and “grown-up” fiction and am actively querying several projects. For the past six years, I’ve edited the monthly publications of several national trade organizations. I’m actively involved in theater and the arts. In my spare time, I run marathons, cook curries, paint shoes and build stuff.

David Baker in a Nutshell:

Born in Arizona, grew up in Hawaii, have also lived in Utah, New Mexico and (briefly) in Indiana.
Novelist and published playwright, currently writing in the young adult category.
Have an A.A. in theater, a B.A. in English and an M.A. in linguistics.
Hobbies include running, writing, theater, and music.

The Early Years

I was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and spent my childhood in the northwest corner of the Valley. During these formative years, I played French horn in the elementary school band. As I lugged my giant instrument back and forth on the bus, I rolled my eyes every time some doofus made fun of my “tuba.” I spent sixth grade in a class of gifted students hand-picked by the school district for accelerated studies. I also worked a paper route, growing the “business” to the point where it had to be split into two routes.

Both of my parents were teachers, and both were avid readers. My mom would take us camping in the summertime to escape the Phoenix heat. As my siblings and I explored the wilds of the Coconino and Tonto forests, she would sit in a lawn chair and read murder mysteries. My dad still never goes anywhere without a paperback in his pocket. Though my mom and dad divorced when I was just four, they both provided living examples of lifelong readers.

On the North Shore

When I was 11, my family moved to the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Being a haole on the North Shore taught me what it means to be different. It wasn’t paradise—at least, not right away. Living just a block or so from the beach, I attended Kahuku High School, where I rubbed shoulders with classmates from all around the Pacific. At Kahuku, I was the odd kid out—the D&D dork in a school where sports were the most important thing and athletes were worshiped. I finally found my niche as a band nerd, proudly marching with the “Pride of the North Shore” around the islands and in contests on the Mainland. After school and on weekends, I furthered my exposure to other cultures by playing in the brass band at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

During my senior year at Kahuku, I wrote “Inside Al,” a one-act play that won the Henry Fonda Young Playwright Award. “Inside Al” premiered at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The play was subsequently published by Samuel French and has been in continuous production ever since, with hundreds of performances across the US and Canada.

At about the same time, I also wrote my first novel, “Haole Boy.” The book, a fish-out-of-water story about a white kid clashing with a Polynesian gang in Hawaii, won an honorable mention in the Avon-Flare Young Novelist Contest.

Moving Around

After earning a B.A. in English and returning to the Mainland, I got married and earned a master’s degree in linguistics. Employment took us to Cache Valley, Utah, where our three children were born. Subsequent career changes took us from Utah to New Mexico, “out east” to Indiana and eventually back to my home state of Arizona.

During this time, my main creative outlet was music, both instrumental (guitar and brass) and especially a cappella singing. For well over a decade, I performed with various small and large a cappella groups, enjoying some success in regional barbershop competition with my quartet Equinox.

While living in Arizona, I rediscovered my first love: writing. At about the same time I began writing again, I also started running (though casually). It was also around this time I started doing theater again, playing Jacey Squires (the quartet tenor) in a production of “The Music Man.”

Back to Utah

Our family’s return to Utah in 2012 marked a new period of creative vigor. Since my kids were entering teenagerhood, I began writing young adult fiction and we all started doing musicals as a family. Our first big production together was “Annie,” in which I got to play Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks. I discovered NaNoWriMo and embraced that side of the creative process. I also started using my talents in construction and the visual arts to produce sets and props for productions in which I (or my children) were involved.

Current Interests

My kids are grown and living on their own. These days, I spend my time:

Writing, editing, querying

I continue to pursue his goal of becoming a traditionally published novelist. While trying to blog as regularly as I can, I’m also working on a stage musical. For the past five years or so, I’ve enjoyed a fabulous collaboration with some organizations in D.C., helping them stay on brand with their communications.

Running

I run over 2,000 miles per year, and try to complete at least one race per month. Lately, it’s been an even split between full and half marathons, though I’ve also run a few 50K races. In 2019, I ran my first Boston Marathon (finish time: 3:20:35). I’ve also run the Chicago Marathon (finish time: 3:24:02) and the New York City Marathon (finish time: 3:34:45).

Theater and arts

I have worked extensively with children’s theater productions and still tread the boards from time to time. My favorite thing lately is constructing impressive sets, props and costumes for local productions.

Reading

Writers read, and I’m no exception. I try to divide my time between traditional books, my Kindle, and the audiobooks I consume during my daily runs. In the young adult space, I enjoy such authors as John Green, Jeff Zentner and Becky Albertalli. Some of my favorite writers of grown-up fiction include Harlan Coben, Lee Child, Brad Thor and Larry Correia. I read a lot of non-fiction as well, delving into wide-ranging subjects that include war history, technology and culture, and anything by Bill Bryson.

If you have any questions for me, feel free to contact me!