Neal Barrett, Jr. is a fourth generation Texan born in San Antonio in 1929. He was raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and acquired a degree from the University of Oklahoma's Professional Writers' School. Barrett began as a corporate writer in public relations but turned freelance when his works began to sell. A prolific writer of science fiction, Barrett has also written westerns, boys' adventure stories and historical novels. His short stories have appeared in major magazines such as Omni, Galaxy and Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine. Barrett has also written under other names including: Victor Appleton, Chad Calhoun, Clay Dawson, Franklin W. Dixon, Rebecca Drury, Wesley Ellis, and J.D. Hardin.