William F. Nolan - Personal Life

Personal Life

Nolan was born in Kansas City, Missouri to Irish Catholic parents. He briefly attended the Kansas City Art Institute. Later, he worked for Hallmark Cards, Inc. before moving to California with his parents. After a few years working in offices, he met Charles Beaumont, who would remain a close friend until Beaumont's untimely death at age 38. Beaumont was instrumental in Nolan becoming an author. Nolan was also a close friend to Norman Corwin and Ray Bradbury, among others, and was a member of the influential Southern California School of Writers in the 1950s-1960s (known informally as "The Group"), many of whom wrote for Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Twilight Zone, Star Trek, and other popular series of the day.

Nolan lives in Vancouver, WA. He is a vegetarian and loves animals. He still writes new material and is active in various literary projects, conventions (he was most recently a Guest of Honor at Killer Con, and a guest at Portland's Orycon, both in 2012), and promotional opportunities. He has been married since 1970, though he has been estranged from his wife, Cam, for many years. With regard to his work, he stated: “I get excited about something, and I want to write about it.”