Author Tama Ryder

Tama Ryder grew up without a television in the seaport village of Patchogue, New York. By age twenty-one, she was working in television at CNN International in London. Tama earned her bachelor's degree in journalism from Boston University (1996) and her master's degree in government from Harvard (1999). Her thesis at Harvard explored the relationship between the military and the press during the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama.

Tama went on to work at news stations on Long Island and throughout Boston. She relished covering City Hall and the State House, living in close proximity to both on Beacon Hill. While working as a reporter, Tama received a "Best Documentary" award from New England Women in Television, for her film about the Fresh Air Fund program, Up for Air: Two Weeks in the Country, which she wrote, produced, and edited.

When Tama moved to Manhattan in 2002, her career took a new direction. She was introduced to legendary publicist Bobby Zarem and began working for him, before being recruited to work for former Senator Bob Kerrey at The New School. As a project manager, Tama managed the development of analytical tools for the 2004 Presidential Election and the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency. She also worked with the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and with Senators John Kerry, Ted Kennedy, and John McCain.

During one of her many trips between New York and Washington, DC, the idea for THE LOFT was conceived and Tama took a sabbatical to write it. She lives in the West Village with her dashing Swedish husband, Johan Herrlin, and their Leonberger, Milo. THE LOFT is her first book. She is already at work on the sequel.