Before making his living writing novels, Grabenstein worked as an improvisational comic and an advertising executive. In the 1980s, Grabenstein performed with the highly regarded First Amendment Comedy and Improv Troupe. In the “Author’s Note” at the end of Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Olympics, Grabenstein points out that it is appropriate that he would end up writing a novel about banned books since the First Amendment Comedy and Improv Troupe was dedicated to exercising its “First Amendment right of freedom of speech to poke fun at politicians and current events” (270).

The famous author James Patterson was Grabenstein’s first boss in advertising. When Patterson quit his job to become a writer, his success inspired Grabenstein. After 20 years in the field, Grabenstein quit his job and began writing; four years later, when he was 50 years old, his first novel was published. Although his initial books were for adults, he was inspired to begin writing children’s novels by his many nieces and nephews, who were not then old enough to read his books for grownups. Because of his own reluctance to read as a child, Grabenstein tries to make sure that his books for young readers are fast-paced and full of adventure and humor.