It’s hard for me to remember a time when I didn’t want to be a novelist. I was lucky. I grew up in a family of readers and storytellers. I began to write stories in elementary school and took every English and writing course I could in high school. I studied English literature at university, took a year off to write a book and found I couldn’t write more than a chapter.

Then I took a long detour. I went to law school in Toronto and graduate school in England, worked as a magazine editor in Paris for an English-speaking magazine named “Passion,” then came back to Toronto and for six years published and edited my own city magazine, “T.O. The Magazine of Toronto.” I also worked as a film executive and as a producer at CBC Radio.

After all this, I opened my criminal law practice — crime was the only part of law that ever interested me. The first day I started working as a lawyer, I also started writing my first novel. That took 10 years. It’s still in a drawer.

I worked on “Old City Hall” next. It took a decade, and in 2009 I had my first breakthrough. The book was published in nine languages and became a Canadian bestseller. Since then I’ve written five more novels. My newest, “Downfall,” will be released in February 2021.

I also work as a screenwriter. I’ve co-written two Murdoch Mysteries and a TV series proposal that we have sold. I’m now working on a number of TV and film projects and, of course, my next novel.

I’ve always loved teaching. For many years now I’ve taught at the Humber Writer’s Correspondence Course, (which I took myself years ago). As well I have a number of private students who I mentor.

I have always worked full time as a criminal lawyer. My law firm, Rotenberg, Shidlowski, Jesin, handles every kind of criminal case, from shoplifting to murder. We also represent many victims of crime. I’m blessed with wonderful partners and take great pride in all of our work.

I’m so often asked: Why pursue both careers?  The answer is easy — being a writer makes me a better lawyer and being a lawyer makes me a better writer. Both are about the endlessly fascinating journey that we go through in our lives. That’s the story that I always strive to tell.

I feel fortunate to have the great support of my publisher, Simon & Schuster, my law partners, my family and friends. Especially important is the support I get from readers from all over the world. Write to me and I promise that, even though it might take a few days, I’ll always write you back. 

Best,

Robert Rotenberg