Born and raised in Hartford, CT, Erwin T. Hurst, Sr. is a father, husband, entrepreneur and lifelong storyteller and learner. Under the pen name Rell Erwin, he writes science fiction and fantasy novels—and shares co-author credits on children’s books with his own kids (family business meets family fun).

Erwin is the founder of Keiterbennett Publishers, a family-owned indie press committed to lifting up Black voices and building stories from the inside out. He also served as a Business Navigator for International Hartford, helping immigrants, refugees, and minority entrepreneurs turn big ideas into thriving ventures.

A proud and lifelong New York Giants fan and Sixers supporter (blame those Philly summers), Erwin believes a good playlist of old-school R&B and a keyboard is the perfect recipe for inspiration. When he’s not writing worlds, he’s building them—for the next generation of storytellers.

Bn The Way – I was a baby when I took this picture, so don’t be alarmed if my hair looks a lot grayer.