W. Michael Gear : born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, May 20, 1955. Michael graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and pursued both his Bachelor’s (1976) and Master’s (1979) degrees at Colorado State University. Upon completion of his Master’s — his specialty was in physical anthropology — he went to work for Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs as a field archaeologist. Michael married Kathleen O'Neal Gear October 1, 1982. In all, Michael has published fourteen novels under his own name and co-authored another fifteen with Kathleen. His work runs the gamut from historical, to prehistorical, to science fiction, to modern thrillers. All of his work deals with some aspect of anthropological theory. His MORNING RIVER was nominated for the Pulitzer prize in fiction, and the National Book Award in 1998.