Virginia Hamilton is a writer, teacher, and lecturer whose long list of honored publications and wide variety of literary genres—fiction, folklore, mythology, biography, science fiction—attest to her dedication and talent. However, Hamilton has said, "Writing has to be a part-time occupation. More than any other serious profession, it feeds and grows from living and living is what a writer must do full-time. Living full-time takes more energy and discipline than any writing I know of." Hamilton credits her parA White Romance 4283 ents, Kenneth (a musician) and Etta Belle Perry Hamilton, for her storytelling ability. Born on March 12, 1936, in the small, southern Ohio town of Yellow Springs, she was the youngest of their five children and was spoiled and petted by her siblings, parents, and teachers. Hamilton attended the schools in Yellow Springs, graduating from high school with honors. She had...