(born 1939) Writer, photographer, musician and former business-school professor. His novel The Bridges of Madison County was a slow, phenomenal bestseller and 1995 hit film starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. The tale of two midlife characters involves a four-day love affair that changes the life of an Iowa farmer’s wife. The enduring popularity of a simple love story took the publishing world by stealth turning to storm. Waller also authored A Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend (1993), Old Songs in a New Cafe (1995), Border Music (1995) and Puerto Vallarta Squeeze (1995); his recording The Ballads of Madison County was released by Atlantic Records.