Bill Jenkins

Jerry B. Jenkins, born in 1949, is a prolific American author with a career spanning multiple genres including biography, self-help, romance, mystery, and young adult fiction. He is widely recognized for co-authoring the 'Left Behind' series with Tim LaHaye, which explored eschatological themes and achieved significant global sales. Jenkins has written over 200 books in his career. His work also includes novels based on the TV series 'The Chosen'.

Jenkins's early career began in sports reporting while still in high school. He later held significant positions within Moody Bible Institute's publishing division and served on its Board of Trustees. He has also been involved with Colorado Christian University. Jenkins has a distinctive approach to co-writing, asserting that if his name is on a book, he wrote every word, distinguishing his role from that of a mere editor in collaborations.

Jerry B. Jenkins has authored more than 200 books across a wide array of genres. While many of his novels delve into various forms of fiction and non-fiction, nineteen of his novels have specifically explored eschatological themes and settings. His most famous work, the 'Left Behind' series, co-written with Tim LaHaye, achieved immense popularity and sales, focusing on end-times prophecy. Jenkins has also written novels that follow the narrative of the television series 'The Chosen,' which depicts the life of Jesus. His literary output includes biographies, self-help books, romance, mystery, and young adult fiction, demonstrating a broad range of storytelling capabilities.

Jenkins's career in writing began early, including work as a sports reporter before he could drive. He held executive roles at Moody Bible Institute, serving as Vice President of its publishing division and as writer-in-residence. He also managed and published 'Moody Monthly.' His involvement with the Christian Writers Guild (CWG), which he purchased in 2001, aimed to develop writers for the Christian market. After transitioning the CWG to an online platform and later establishing a publishing arm, he faced criticism but continued to offer writing courses through his own platform, Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild.

Jenkins is known for his numerous 'as-told-to' biographies and memoirs, often featuring prominent athletes and religious figures. He clarifies his role in these collaborations, stating that if his name is on the book, he is the sole author of the text, regardless of the attribution style. This approach was also applied to his work with Tim LaHaye on the 'Left Behind' series, where LaHaye provided the theological framework and Jenkins executed the writing. He also contributed to the 'Gil Thorp' comic strip as its writer after the original creator's death.

“I write the best I can. I know I'm never going to be revered as some classic writer. I don't claim to be C. S. Lewis. The literary-type writers, I admire them. I wish I was smart enough to write a book that's hard to read, you know?”