Michael Walker's life has never fitted neatly onto a single shelf. Literature, theater, writing, publishing, and independent creative projects have all had a place in it. DREAMWalker Group, which he founded in 2002, brings those interests into a shared space: somewhere to discover a writer, explore an unfamiliar subject, or follow a connection a little farther than planned.
Michael graduated from Hofstra University in 1974 with a BA in English, having begun in Performing Arts before turning to English Literature, with a concentration in Romanticism. Both books and the stage remained part of the picture. His varied working life has included library work, editing, technical writing, acting, and Broadway theater concessions. There is more than one way to spend a Wednesday matinee.
For much of his life, Michael balanced the work that supported him with work he particularly enjoyed. That pattern makes room in his story for practical skills and creative pursuits to sit together. His experience with research and publishing belongs alongside his freelance writing and independent ventures, rather than in a separate compartment.
Michael's interest in connection also has roots in his early involvement in LGBTQ community life. He co-founded Hofstra United Gays with Kevin Reilly and wrote Straight on Gay for The Express Newspaper. The column sought to encourage understanding between gay and straight readers: a chance to learn about one another across differences.
DREAMWalker began with a reader's wish: to find an author's works gathered in one place, with different series organized in reading order. But Michael imagined more than a bibliography. He envisioned a welcoming neighborhood bookstore in online form, where readers could discover writers and publishers, and writers, publishers, and artists could connect with readers. People from different backgrounds could encounter unfamiliar voices and ideas, welcomed as equals with room for their differences. Author interviews might sit alongside literary profiles or be reached through them. His hope was to bring the publishing world closer to its readers—and readers closer to the people creating the books they loved.
Over more than two decades, DREAMWalker has passed through many chapters of its own. It is now being thoughtfully restored and reimagined, with care for the historical collection and fresh ways for readers to explore it. That work leaves room for both what the archive preserves and what the site can become.
Michael's interests give DREAMWalker its eclectic character. Books share the shelves with music, theater, independent publishing, and unexpected subjects. The invitation is simple: come with something you love, bring your curiosity, and see where it leads. You needn't have your next discovery planned before you arrive.