NOTE: Some of the information about me on Wikipedia is untrue and libelous. Check all links carefully to see what they actually say, rather than what Wikipedia claims they say. Unfortunately, the page in question, and its discussion page, are both locked, preventing anyone from responding to the statements.
This latter is the kind of behavior that makes WP worthless for reference.
I am variously, an immigrant from the UK and Canada, a retired member of the US military (active and reserve, Army and Air Force, 25 years). I deployed for Operation Guarded Skies in support of Operation Desert Fox, and for OIF. When not writing, I'm a reasonably accomplished bladesmith and hobby gunsmith. I've made both from raw materials, and even helped reduce ore once.
My first SF novel, Freehold, sold on its first submission to my first publisher, then sold out its first print run in 3 weeks. It was a #3 Locus bestseller. Since then, I've had multiple books on various bestseller lists, including my recent anthology, "Forged in Blood," which was a national bestseller and won the P&E Readers' Poll for Best Anthology. I've been nominated for the Compton Crook and Prometheus awards, and won the Year's Best Military SF award for 2014.
When not writing, I possibly hold the record for most bans on Facebook for saying things someone with little maturity thought was necessary to report to the principal, rather than taking the adult route of simply ignoring or blocking me. I also enjoy fine Scotch and Bourbon. I keep hoping to get back into kung fu and skydiving, but I'm too bloody busy most of the time. I collect antique blades and firearms, and am in an arms race with Bermuda.
I'm married to the very lovely Jessica, who was reservation born, raised poor on a ranch, has degrees in biology and IT security, and does the latter for a major corporation as a forensics investigator. She keeps bringing more chickens, rabbits and goats to the property, resulting in more food for all of us.
Our daughter Cassandra is trying to decide which of her ancestries of Viking (via Scotland), English, Irish, Welsh, Carrib black, Choctaw, Cherokee or German allows the greatest mayhem.
My two older children often accompany and assist me at events. Morrigan has also modeled for firearm product catalogs and has appeared in magazines and TV shows worldwide. Eric has a screen credit and helps run my booth when he's not in school.
You can catch me at certain events throughout the year. I'm available for others, but they do detract from writing time, so I'm doing fewer as time goes on.
My part time business/hobby page is here, and I'm always happy to talk about historical artifacts.
Signing autographs for wounded troops and their caregivers at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, January 16, 2011, with the lovely Gina Elise of Pinups For Vets
Our crew in Germany for the wounded at Landstuhl, featuring several great people, and me, too. (Video from AFNEurope)
Download video: MP4 format | Ogg format | WebM format
Signing books for troops at an airbase in the Middle East.
I also signed at the USO at the Army LSA at Ali Al Salem Airbase, Kuwait.
Supplemental duty blowing up excess munitions, and posing for a Hollywood fireball. Smile and wait for flash.
Signing books for fans at Ft. Knox.
This picture below, was taken in 1999 in Kuwait. The site was so remote ( How remote was it? ) that to get sunglasses, which I had forgotten to bring, I had to get the "pimp specials" I'm wearing here, as they were all that was available in the Exchange. We could get PLENTY of country CDs and Middle Eastern gold and textiles, but no luxuries like batteries, suntan lotion, or replacement uniform parts or tactical gear.
At Def Ears Sound, Illinois, for the 1998 Midwest Rush Tabcon.
That's my custom made 10-string electric (66% more noise than the leading brand 6-string guitar) while we belt through "Something for Nothing" with more amplification than can legally be used without a Destructive Device license.
Rush (the Canadian metal/art/progressive rock trio) can be found online at www.rush.com.
The FN P-90 is billed as a "Personal Defense Weapon." I don't think it has any standard military application, though for special operations and police SWAT it should be great. And it's a blast to shoot. Pistol, rifle, call it what you want. 5.7 X 28mm, and holds 50 rounds. Ideal for social calls at midnight.
My friends and I brought some toys to use at a local range. Both beds and two walls looked like this.
This was the "Evil Black Rifle Check." Can't join the group if you don't have an Evil Black Rifle. Luckily, most of us have spares for friends.
I like my Grendel P11 pistol. 12 rounds of .380 goodness in a package that small. Add a spare mag and spare rounds and it's still smaller than a paperback book.
