Swanson is the bestselling author of Manhunt: The 12-Day Hunt for Lincoln's murderer, which won an award. Hunting Lincoln's Murderer, a young adult adaptation of Manhunt, and The President Has Been Shot! are among his other works. Kennedy was a finalist for the YALSA-ALA Award for Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction. In Washington, D.C., he has held a number of government and think-tank positions.