About the author
Richard Nielsen was born in Chicago, Illinois. At the age of five and tired of the cold, moved his family to the Central Coast of California where he endured public schools until graduating high school. Yearning
for adventure, he joined the Coast Guard at the age of 18 and became a fourth-generation veteran. On a less than glamorous buoy tender ship, he sailed and worked along the California coast and through Central and South America. Afterwards, he experienced 'real' excitement hunting smugglers and saving lives while commanding motor life boats. Following his veteran family traditions, he became one of 'those guys' who could get someone virtually anything they wanted. After departing the service and attending college working for degrees in marine biology and financial planning, he drifted through over 25 jobs, including: commercial diver, heavy equipment operator, industrial service tech, freelance writer, financial account executive, repo man, phone psychic, customer service manager, import/export consultant, handy man, naturalist guide, bartender and US Forest Service engineer. Richard finds life full of everyday events that open up to extraordinary stories. From meeting people ranging from grocery store clerks to mercenaries, Richard found a hobby in learning six words and learned to greet and offer thanks in 21 different languages. He won the Persephone Award for a children's story. His interests and hobbies include scuba diving, gardening, competitive pistol shooting, collecting rum, maritime history and learning a little bit about everything. He resides in California with his wife, three dogs, two cats, chickens, several schools of fish and a 70-pound sulcata tortoise.