Michael Petracca is an American novelist, Lecturer Emeritus and former Acting Co-Director of the Writing Program at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
[2] As well as teaching writing, Petracca has also worked as a prison counselor,[1] and has played guitar for musical groups J. T. and the Zydeco Zippers,[1] Bunnyhead,[3] Bossa Blue, Montecito Jazz Project and Cosmic Love Child.
[4] Petracca's two novels, Doctor Syntax and Captain Zzyzx, published by Capra Press, feature Harmon Nails III as a protagonist.
In Captain Zzyzx (set in the fictional "Fiesta City", in Southern California), Nails has rejected academia and plays in a rhythm and blues band while searching for love.
In recent years Petracca's writing has focused on popular culture criticism[5] and creative nonfiction, the latter relating volunteers' contributions in the areas of habitat conservation[6][7][failed verification] and hospice care.