Gary L. Blackwood was born October 23, 1945, in Meadville, Pennsylvania, the son of Roy and Susie (Stallsmith) Blackwood. He grew up in the small town of Cochranton, Pennsylvania, dreaming of becoming a writer and studying with that in mind. He graduated with a B.A. in English from Grove City College in Pennsylvania.

While a college student, he published his first short story, "Cliffs of Gold," in 12/15 magazine. He quickly learned that writing alone would not support him and turned to other sources for income. His work experience varies from managing a book store, copywriting, teaching, creating advertising art, to working in a cannery, loading meat trucks, and carpentry.

His first book, an adult historical novel, The Lion and the Unicorn, was self-published in 1982, but it was not until the publication of Wild Timothy seven years later that his writing career took off. He has...