Cultural Writing. Jay Zimmerman's debut book, IN NECK DEEP, is the story of his life as a fisherman. Jay Zimmerman was born and raised along Lake Erie in Ohio, among a family of fishers, hunters, and storytellers. He served in the U.S. military, then traveled to Alaska and back to Ohio where he wrote IN NECK DEEP. "Here is an unusual coming-of-age memoir of a young man passionate about fishing. From a northern Ohio boyhood, through four years in the military, to a season on Kodiak Island, Jay Zimmerman's growing through life's awkwardness is revealing and realistic. Most startling are his stories of his time in the service. The best passages call to mind a blue collar, Midwest Norman MacLean" -- Ken Waldman, author of NOME POEMS and TO LIVE ON THIS EARTH.