TJ Altieri's fiction compels readers to reflect on both society and themselves, taking his audience on a narrative journey through layered plots and multidimensional characters. Often fusing genres, his writing juxtaposes perspectives and elicits discourse in a way that is remarkably engaging. Aside from his most recent novel, Dark Matter Heart, Altieri has published the books Lowside Symphony, the archaeology mystery "Foundations", and the crime thriller "Controlling Interest", and has several other works in progress in other genres. He considers the factor that drives and unites his stories to be the humanity felt through his characters and how it helps us reflect on our own lives. TJ was chosen to be guest author and keynote speaker at American Association of University Women's 2022 Book and Author Luncheon and Book Signing. Outside of fiction, TJ Altieri has completed historical treatises in archaeology, anthropology, and gender studies. When not writing, he works as a history educator in Connecticut Public Schools and as conservationist working to preserve wildlife, in and out of human care, at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo.