James Preller (born February 1, 1961) is an American writer of children's books including Bystander, Six Innings, and the Jigsaw Jones Mysteries.
After graduating from college in 1983, he worked as a waiter for one year before being hired as a copywriter by Scholastic Corporation.
Since then Preller has written a variety of books, some under pen names including Mitzy Kafka, James Patrick, and Izzy Bonkers.
He lives in Delmar, New York, with his wife Lisa and their three children, Nicholas, Gavin, and Maggie.
Preller made up stories when he was young and sold them to friends, family, and neighbors.