Early years and Education

Herman was born in Norfolk, Virginia. He attended a parochial school and High School in Maryland, and then earned a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy from Loyola College. From 1947 to 1949, Herman also spent three summers at the Boston College School of Expressional Art on a playwrighting scholarship. In 1954, he earned a Master of Fine Arts from Catholic University of America.

Career

Herman has taught playwrighting and has been the artist-in-residence at numerous American universities. For 16 years he lived and worked in Hawaii on the staff of the State Superintendent of Education. He has directed over 200 plays for numerous schools and theatres, has served as the Artistic Director for at least one theatre (the Commedia Repertory Theatre in Hawaii), and has designed sets and lighting for more than 40 productions.

While in Hawaii, Herman also worked for as a theatre columnist and drama critic. He turned to writing novels at age 65, and has published seven novels and one children's book to date.

As a playwright, Herman has won numerous awards since 1953. His best known play is "A Company of Wayward Saints", which has been in print continuously since it was first published in 1963. His plays for radio, TV, and the stage have been produced around the world. He currently has five published plays, and number of his award winning unpublished plays are also available through his website. Herman has received more than 30 awards for his writing.

Personal life

Herman has been married three times, has nine children of his own, and seven grandchildren. He currently resides in Portland, Oregon.

Published Plays

• A Company of Wayward Saints (1963)
• A Smell of Cinnamon
• Devil of the Second Stairs
• Nine Dragons (1977)
• The Hidden Place (1978)
• Little Rome - Iowa (2003) ISBN 0-59527-236-3, ISBN 978-0595272365

Books

• Carnival of Saints (1994) ISBN 0-34538-150-5, ISBN 978-0345381507
• A Comedy of Murders (1994) ISBN 0-78670-064-5, ISBN 978-0786700646
• The Tears of the Madonna (1996) ISBN 0-78670-243-5, ISBN 978-0786702435
• The Florentine Mourners (1999) ISBN 1-58348-627-5, ISBN 978-1583486276
• The Necromancer (2003) ISBN 978-0595282654
• The Toys of War (2001) ISBN 0-59520-951-3, # ISBN 978-0595209514
• The Arno Serpent (2007) ISBN 0-59544-241-2, # ISBN 978-0595442416
• Nine Dragons (2003) ISBN 0-80483-481-4, ISBN 978-0804834810