Stephen J. Cannell (1941-2010) was the author of the bestselling Shane Scully books, including "The Prostitute's Ball," "The Pallbearers," and "Three Shirt Deal." He was also an Emmy Award winning television writer and producer, and in his thirty-five-year career, he created or co-created more than forty TV series. Among his hits were "The Rockford Files," "Silk Stalkings," "The A-Team," "21 Jump Street," "Hunter," "Renegade," "Wiseguy," and "The Commish." He received numerous awards, including the Saturn Award - Life Career Award (2004), The Marlow Lifetime Achievement Award from Mystery Writers of America (2005), and the WGA Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television Writing Achievement (2006). Having overcome severe dyslexia, Cannell was an avid spokesperson on the condition and an advocate for children and adults with learning disabilities. He was a third-generation Californian and resided in the Pasadena area with his wife, Marcia, and their children.