Daniel Greenburg (1936–2023) was an American writer, humorist, and journalist whose extensive career spanned over 70 books published in numerous languages and countries. He began his writing journey after studying design and being inspired by J.D. Salinger, initially contributing to magazines like Esquire with creative retellings of classic stories.

Greenburg gained significant recognition for his satirical self-help books, including the bestseller "How to Be a Jewish Mother." He also authored several popular children's book series, such as "The Zack Files" and "Secrets of Dripping Fang," drawing inspiration from his interactions with young readers. Beyond books, his work extended to film, television, and theater, with adaptations of his novels and contributions to various shows. He also had a notable journalism career, with over 150 pieces published in major periodicals.

Greenburg's literary output included a notable series of satirical self-help books, which offered humorous takes on societal expectations and personal development. Titles like "How to Be a Jewish Mother" and "How to Make Yourself Miserable" found a wide audience, often poking fun at conventional advice. He also explored more unconventional themes, as seen in his 1976 book "Something's There: My Adventures in the Occult." This work delved into his personal experiences with the occult, indicating a curiosity beyond mainstream subjects. His 1969 book "Porno-Graphics: The Shame of our Art Museums" was a provocative, visually driven project that played with societal reactions to sexuality and art.

A significant portion of Greenburg's legacy lies in his popular children's book series, which included "The Zack Files," "Secrets of Dripping Fang," "Maximum Boy," and "Weird Planet." He actively engaged with children to understand their reading preferences, focusing on elements of humor, scariness, and gross-out humor. His success in children's literature led to a television series adaptation of "The Zack Files." Greenburg's versatility was further demonstrated through his work in film and television, with several of his novels adapted into movies, and his contributions to various TV shows and pilots. He also penned plays that were performed on Broadway and off-Broadway.

“At the time, I was amused by all the people who were being offended by anything slightly sexual. Usually when something sexual is covered up, it becomes more sexual. I thought it was funny. I had already had some success with a couple of books and Random House said to me 'what else can you do?'”

“I visit schools constantly. I talk to kids, I try out ideas on them, and I ask them what they like to read. Both boys and girls tell me they love scary stories and funny stories the best, and the boys tell me they love to be grossed out. I've tried to do all three things in these books.”

“1) inspiration from adventures I've survived; 2) a funny title I think up first ...; 3) asking myself "What if ...?".”