Mick Blackistone has written award winning adult and children’s books for over twenty years. During this time he has spoken to over 50,000 elementary school students, university students, civic organizations, educator seminars, and more on the subjects of writing, Chesapeake Bay watermen, and environmental issues.

Mick has worked as a congressional press secretary; President of his own public relations firm, M.S. Blackistone & Associates, Inc.; Vice President of the National Marine Manufacturers Association; Executive Director of the Maryland Watermen’s Association’s Crab Restoration
Around the Bay, Inc.; and, a commercial waterman.

He has been widely recognized including:

• Named an ‘Admiral of the Chesapeake’ by Governor Schaefer

• Recipient: Maryland Salute to Excellence Award

• Achievement Award For his book The Day They Left The Bay

• Named Mid-Atlantic Marine Education Association’s Non-Traditional Teacher of the Year for his book The Day They Left The Bay

• Recipient: Maryland Council of Teachers of Language Arts’ Frederick Douglass Award for Outstanding and Innovative Programs in Communication

• Recipient: Marina Owners Association of America’s Bob Geisler Award

• Recipient: U.S. Yacht Racing Association’s -Community Achievement Award for his book Broken Wings Will Fly

• Numerous Resolutions and Citations from the -Maryland General Assembly, Maryland Watermen’s Association; and, United States Coast Guard

Mick Blackistone was appointed by three U.S. Presidents to serve on the prestigious Department of Transportation National Boating Safety Advisory Council.

He lives in southern Anne Arundel County, Maryland.