About Ace Collins
Ace Collins, born Andrew Jefferson Collins on August 17, 1953, in Rantoul, Illinois, is a prolific Christian author whose writing career spans more than four decades.
Raised in Arkansas by parents who both taught, he developed a love for storytelling in childhood—particularly the tales passed down by his grandparents.
That early exposure shaped his literary voice, rooted in narrative tradition and emotional connection.
After earning a BA in English and journalism from Baylor University in 1975, he began writing magazine and newspaper features—appearing in Texas Monthly, People, and Us Weekly—while teaching and coaching high school basketball to support his budding career.
His first book contract came in 1982.
Over time, Collins has published over 90 books—including historical fiction, suspense, biographies, devotionals, and children’s books—and sold more than 2.5 million copies across multiple publishers.
His cultural history titles, such as Stories Behind the Best‑Loved Songs of Christmas and Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas, along with his well-received In the President’s Service mystery series, showcase his ability to blend rich research with compelling storytelling.
His 2014 novel The Color of Justice, a courtroom drama exploring racial tensions, earned the Christy Award for best suspense fiction in 2015. Beyond fiction, Collins is widely known as “Doc Holiday,” serving as a cultural expert on Christmas traditions across national television, radio, and print.
He regularly speaks at prominent venues, from the National Archives to churches and educational institutions.
Collins also writes under various genres—children’s stories (e.g., Lassie: A Dog’s Life), biographies, and true dog stories (Man’s Best Hero, Service Tails)—demonstrating his range and appeal across age groups.
He continues to produce several books per year while living in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, with his wife Dr. Kathy Collins and their two adult sons.
Outside writing, he enjoys restoring classic cars and vintage jukeboxes and playing guitar.
Author Links
- Website: https://www.acecollins.com/
- Facebook: Ace Collins Facebook profile
- Instagram: Ace Collins Instagram profile
- Goodreads: Ace Collins Goodreads profile
