I am an avid cyclist, both bicycle and motorcycle.  In 2015 I pedaled 9,000 miles and have dreams of bicycling from Malibu, CA to Key West, FL. On weekends I regularly ride my Harley Soft Tail Deuce through the Santa Monica Mountains outside Malibu and up and down Pacific Coast Highway, making the obligatory stop at The Rock Store in Cornell.

A devotion to public service and comprehensive and compassionate public policy are still major drivers in my life and when not opining on national and global issues I am actively involved in local politics, serving as Vice-President of the Malibu Democratic Club, President of the Malibu Adamson House Foundation, a member of the Board of Directors for the Southern California Americans for Democratic Action, and on the Board of Advisors for VoteRiders, a group dedicated to ensuring that all citizens are afforded the right to vote without impediments and free from suppression efforts such as restrictive voter identification laws.

I am a father of two sons, Christopher and Nicholas, who are millennials and musicians and reside in Harrisburg, PA. My two books are dedicated to them and future generations and my active efforts to fight climate change and fracking continue to this day. These progressive views are reflected in my writings and speaking opportunities.

I have a BS in Political Science from Georgia Southern University and an MPA from Temple University. I completed executive programs in Environmental Economics at the Harvard Institute for International Development and the Senior Managers in Government program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. I also completed a national security seminar at the U.S. Army War College.

I have delivered over 100 presentations worldwide on climate change as part of Al Gore's Climate Reality Project. In 1993 I helped establish the first U.S. government Office of Sustainable Development in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The development and implementation of sustainable fisheries initiatives led to my receiving the U.S. Department of Commerce' Gold Medal.

READ MY ARTICLES IN THE HUFFINGTON POST

READ MY ARTICLES IN THE LA PROGRESSIVE

WASHINGTON INSIDER LANCE SIMMENS TALKS ABOUT THE HORRORS BEHIND FREACKING AND POLITICAL DYSFUNCTION IN NEW NOVEL

Not unlike Upton Sinclair, Lance Simmens has created a work of fiction based upon the factual dark side of American politics. If Mr. Simmens intent is to push policy changes that may at the very least give the human species a chance of surviving just a little bit longer this book should awaken the moral conscience of a society mired in dysfunction.                                              -Thomas Steinbeck, Writer

Lance Simmens has captured the essence of both the political and societal upheaval that accompanies our insatiable thirst for fossil fuels.  His portrayal of the costs of fracking told through fiction based upon fact is a clarion call for rethinking our priorities.  A must read for those who care about our children.
-Mark Ruffalo, Actor, Director, Activist

WHAT POLITICAL LEADERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE EVOLUTION OF A REVOLUTION

Many of our elected official have lost their way. This book offers a road map back to good governance through dedication to the public service and statesmanship Lance Simmens not only talks the talk but he walks the walk. A must-read for all those wishing to preserve our democracy. -Edward G. Rendell, former Governor of Pennsylvania and Chair of the Democratic National Committee

This book is a civics lesson for those who want to fix government.It offers common sense solutions to complex problems, but most of all, it provides a framework for restoring confidence in our government leaders and institutions. -James R. Sasser, former Chair of U.S. Senate Budget Committee and Ambassador to China                   
The Evolution of a Revolution reintroduces to the public discourse important principles of statesmanship that are a key to fixing what ails our body politic. -Pierre Howard, former Lt. Governor of Georgia

Lance Simmens has always been a groundbreaking voice for truth on fracking.  His presence as an insider in PA Governor Ed Rendell's administration was monumental and his compassion and empathy for the victims of fracking should have upended the fracking industry. Had Pennsylvania followed his advice, we might have averted the tragedy of contamination that the natural gas industry has wrought across the state.  He has tales to tell and I hope they are heeded.  
-Josh Fox, Oscar-nominated Director of groundbreaking fracking documentary, Gasland

This book offers answers to daunting questions about the viability of government in a time of dysfunction.It is essential for all those interested in preserving representative democracy. -Paul Soglin, Mayor of Madison, WI

It’s rare to find such a fascinating treatment of the genuine importance and value of public service.It’s a compelling case and an equally compelling read.         -Rob Shapiro, former Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs

At a time when confidence in government and its leaders is at an all-time low, this book is a refreshing commitment to the proposition that government can work. -Morris Dees, Founder, Chief Trial Attorney, Southern Poverty Law Center

Great writing, great action, great characters, great plot…. Overall a terrific read that I feel really opened my eyes to the seedy underbelly of corruption on every level as it permeates our political system from different perspectives. I can totally see this book as being a movie. Recommend. (5 stars) Anabella Johnson– Goodreads; Shelfari; Barnes & Noble; Indie Book Reviewers

This author crafts an authentic, meticulously-researched and engrossing novel that haunts you long after you are done, and makes you question how much is real and how much is fiction. Looking forward to reading more from Lance Simmens. (4-5 stars) Cale Owens– Goodreads; Shelfari; Barnes & Noble; Indie Book Reviewers

Color me impressed!! There is such strong, vivid writing, and the characters are all fascinating, flawed, and going through their own problems. The information and the message is important and worth a read that I’d recommend even to those who don’t normally read this sort of thing…try it, you’ll be pleasantly surprised! (3-4 stars) Layla Messing– Goodreads; Shelfari; Barnes & Noble; Indie Book Reviewers

Praise for Fracktured

The more I read the more I got into it, the more wrapped up I got in this world and characters Lance Simmens created. I have a feeling that this book and the characters and their fates will stay with me for some time. Recommended for readers of political fiction and non-fiction and current events. (3 stars) Eliza Brown– Goodreads; Shelfari; Barnes & Noble; Indie Book Reviewers

I was looking for something a little different than my usual reading fare, and this really hit the mark… in fact, now other books will seem shallow by comparison! This was a well-written book with an important message and I highly recommend it to others. (5 stars) Jenna Brewster– Goodreads; Shelfari; Barnes & Noble; Indie Book Reviewers

Awesome. Once I started reading “Fracktured” I didn’t want to put it down until I’d finished. Seemed never a good place just to stop for a while as the story continued to build and build. (3.5 stars) Stacy Decker– Goodreads; Shelfari; Barnes & Noble; Indie Book Reviewers

Riveting and addicting, “Fracktured” is sure to please (horrify) fans of political books and contemporary drama. Too important a topic to miss. (5 stars) Jason Thackery– Goodreads; Shelfari; Barnes & Noble; Indie Book Reviewers

Excellent writing and a compelling, realistic plot and characters set against a realistic background. The story moves forward and you can't help but get sucked into Simmens’ strong narrative, and liked overall message. . (4 stars) Marcella Gonzales– Goodreads; Shelfari; Barnes & Noble; Indie Book Reviewers

Fracktured is a deeply affecting work. The fact that this is a work of fiction, rather than a non-fiction screed about the dangers of fracking, makes the book all the more human and persuasive. It's an important novel about an important subject, which hopefully finds a large readership. -Self-Publishing Review

Not only is it entertaining and informative, but you look forward to getting back into the book each and every time you pick it up, if you have the self-control to ever put it down. A very strong effort by Lance Simmens, and I will be looking forward to reading more from him in the future. (4 stars) Kaylee Stevens– Goodreads; Shelfari; Barnes & Noble; Indie Book Reviewers

Author Lance Simmens delivers nicely here and I am impressed with the way that Simmens can tell a story in his own way with characters that we grow to know and love, or love to hate. I looked forward to my reading time each evening and was sad when it was over, but thought the ending was perfect, if not bittersweet.  Hope he delivers more on the same vein as it is an important message that more need to be aware of. (4-5 stars) Brenda Maxwell– Goodreads; Shelfari; Barnes & Noble; Indie Book Reviewers

The more I read the more I got into it, and then by half way I was totally hooked!! “Fracktured” is a compelling read that will have great appeal due to its relevant subject matter that affects all Americans, whether they want to realize it or not. (4 stars) Karen Matthews– Goodreads; Shelfari; Barnes & Noble; Indie Book Reviewers

 A very broad and astute look at the world of politics and the complexities of human nature under the best and worst of circumstances. Recommend. (4 stars) Laura Clarke – Goodreads; Shelfari; Barnes & Noble; Indie Book Reviewers

Fracktured is a political novel that examines the fractured nature of politics in our contemporary environment. In this fictional account based on facts the author examines the toxic underbelly of not only our political system but the decision-making processes that reward avoidance of confrontation through the lenses of three individuals; the politician, his wife, and an enterprising madam. The intertwining of their lives reflects the difficulties faced by individuals as they struggle with a dysfunctional society and political system complicated by a world addicted to fossil fuels.             -GoodReads

Contact
Lance Simmens is available to lecture and speak on a wide variety of topics including public policy formulation, environmental issues, government, intergovernmental affairs, and other contemporary political issues.