Patricia B. Commins is a seasoned journalist and essayist. She worked for Reuters America, Inc., and has published articles in major U.S. newspapers including The New York Times, Boston Globe and Houston Chronicle. A journalist for over 20 years, Ms. Commins began her career at the age of 17 as a reporter for the Palladium-Times, a small daily newspaper in northern New York State.

Her essays on Africa, Berlin and Switzerland have been published in the Christian Science Monitor. Her feature stories on rock star Jim Morrison's grave and cross-country skiing have appeared on the Arts & Leisure page of The Wall Street Journal.

Ms. Comins currently lives in suburban Chicago with her husband, Kevin, and her son, Patrick.