William W. Johnstone

Born and raised in southern Missouri, William W. Johnstone was the youngest of four children. His father was a minister and his mother a school teacher. He quit school when he was 15 and worked in a carnival and as a deputy sheriff. He later served in the United States Army and, upon returning to civilian life, worked in radio broadcasting for 16 years. Johnstone started his writing career in 1970, but did not have any works published until 1979 (The Devil's Kiss) and became a full-time writer in 1980.