Fromm was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and holds a B.S. in wildlife biology from the University of Montana where he graduated with honors in 1981. He has mainly made his name as a writer of short stories, but has also produced three novels and a memoir. In 2005, he became a member of the faculty at Pacific University's MFA in Writing program where he continues to teach.He lives in Missoula, Montana, with his wife and two sons.
Fromm has been awarded the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award four times: in 1994 for his memoir Indian Creek Chronicles; in 1998 for Dry Rain;in 2001 for How All This Started, and in 2004 for Cool As I Am.