Mark Salzman was born in 1959 in the state of Connecticut, a place that would later serve as the backdrop for his coming-of-age story in his 1996 memoir "Lost in Place: Growing Up Absurd in Suburbia". At the tender age of seven, he began playing the cello, a passion ignited by his mother's love of music. Meanwhile, his father's fascination with astronomy had a profound impact on Mark, cultivating in him a small but significant appreciation for the wonders of the universe.
As he grew older, Mark's curiosity and sense of adventure led him to explore new interests. At the age of 13, he became enamored with the ancient art of Kung Fu, driven by his desire to become a Zen master. This quest for enlightenment was marked by numerous humorous and often harrowing experiences, which he would later recount in his memoir.
Mark's academic pursuits took a dramatic turn when, at the age of 16, he decided to forgo his senior year of high school and apply to Yale University. His ambition to learn Chinese and study Chinese art and culture ultimately earned him a spot at the prestigious institution, where he graduated in 1982 with a degree in Chinese language and literature.
Following his graduation, Mark spent two years teaching English to Chinese students at the Hunan Medical College in China, an experience that would later inspire his first and most acclaimed novel, "Iron and Silk". The book, published in 1986, tells the story of his time in China and has since become a classic of travel literature.
In addition to his literary pursuits, Mark has also ventured into the world of filmmaking. In 1987, he co-wrote and starred in the movie adaptation of "Iron and Silk", which was filmed on location in China. This marked the beginning of a successful career in writing and acting, with Mark going on to pen four more books: "The Laughing Sutra" (1991),"The Soloist" (1994),"Lost in Place" (1996),and "Lying Awake" (2000).
Mark Salzman is married to the acclaimed filmmaker Jessica Yu, with whom he shares a love of animals and a desire to return to their native San Francisco. The couple currently resides in Los Angeles with their two cats, Fog and Smog, as well as a variety of birds and fish.
