• Margaret Coel
• Kathleen O'Neal Gear
• W. Michael Gear
• Joseph Marshall III
• David Matheson
• Thomas Perry
• Penina Keen Spinka
• David & Aimee Thurlo
• David Marion Wilkinson

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Native American Author Roundtable To celebrate Native American Heritage Month AuthorsOnTheWeb.com, a website from The Book Report Network, assembled a roundtable discussion featuring 10 acclaimed writers who have Native American backgrounds and/or write about Native American culture. Margaret Coel, Kathleen O'Neal Gear, W. Michael Gear, Joseph Marshall III, David Matheson, Thomas Perry, Penina Keen Spinka, Aimee Thurlo, David Thurlo and David Marion Wilkinson reveal how writing about the Native American culture has affected their lives, discuss how they conduct research and address Native American stereotypes.

Margaret Coel Margaret Coel is a native Coloradan who hails from a pioneer Colorado family. The West--the mountains, plains, and vast spaces--are in her bones, she says. She moved out of Colorado on two occasions--to attend Marquette University and to spend a couple of years in Alaska. Both times she couldn't wait to get back. Margaret writes a series of mystery novels set on the Wind River Reservation with the Arapahos. The Eagle Catcher was published in 1995, The Ghost Walker in 1996, and The Dream Stalker in 1997. The mystery novels are published by Berkley Publishing Group. Along with The Dream Stalker, The Ghost Walker and The Eagle Catcher, Margaret Coel is the author of four non-fiction booksk, including the award-winning Chief Left Hand, published by the University of Oklahoma Press. Her articles on the West have appeared in the New York Times, the Christian Science Monitor, American Heritage of Invention & Technology, Creativity! and many other publications. Speaking engagements on the people and places she loves best have taken her around the country and as far away as Australia. She visits the Wind River Reservation every year, "just to catch up with my Arapaho friends." She writes in a small study in her home on a hillside in Boulder. The window frames a view of the Rocky Mountains and the almost-always blue sky. A herd of deer are usually grazing just outside, and one summer a couple of years ago, a mountain lion made its home closeby. "Every day,"she says, "I drink in the West." Margaret Coel's Website Prime Crime Browse Margaret Coel's books on Amazon.com. Back to top. Kathleen O'Neal Gear Born in Tulare, California, in 1954, Kathleen O'Neal Gear is one of six children. Her parents, Harold Arthur O'Neal and Wanda Lillie O'Neal, left Oklahoma and Arkansas during the Dust Bowl and moved to California. For most of Kathleen's youth, her parents owned and operated a small farm in the central San Joaquin Valley of California, growing primarily cotton and alfalfa. But at the same time, her father authored more than fifty short stories, and her mother worked as a newspaper journalist. Kathleen received her B.A., cum laude, from California State University in Bakersfield, and her M.A., summa cum laude, from California State University in Chico. She conducted Ph.D. studies at the University of California in Los Angeles and did post-graduate studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel. Her family always spent their summer vacations visiting historical and archaeological sites around the United States. Those trips left indelible impressions. She worked on her first archaeological excavation at the age of ten, and won her first writing contest at the age of thirteen, where she took first place in the American Legion essay contest held at Tipton Elementary School. In the 1980's, she worked for the United States Department of the Interior as the Wyoming State Historian, and later as the Archaeologist for Wyoming, Kansas and Nebraska. She has twice been the recipient of the federal government's "Special Achievement Award" for outstanding management of our nation's cultural heritage. She and Michael currently operate an anthropological research company called Wind River Archaeological Consultants. She began writing full-time in 1986 and has over one hundred non-fiction publications in the fields of archaeology, history and writing, and has authored, or co-authored -- with her husband W. Michael Gear -- twenty-two international bestsellers, which have been translated into seventeen languages. She and Michael live on a buffalo ranch in the Owl Creek Mountains of northern Wyoming, with their Shetland sheep dogs, Jessie and Benjamin. Kathleen O'Neal Gear's Website Tor Books Browse Kathleen O'Neal Gear's books on Amazon.com. Back to top. W. Michael Gear W. Michael Gear was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on the twentieth of May, 1955. A fourth generation Colorado native, his family had been involved in hard-rock mining, cattle ranching, and journalism. After his father's death in 1959, Michael's mother received her Master's degree in journalism and began teaching. In 1962 she married Joseph J. Cook, who taught tool and die making, and the family lived in Lakewood, Colorado, until 1968. At that time they moved to Fort Collins so that Joe could pursue his Ph.D.. During those years the family lived in the foothills above Horsetooth Reservoir. It was there that Mike developed a love of history, anthropology, and motorcycles. They would color his future and fill his imagination for the rest of his life. During summers he volunteered labor on local ranches or at the farm east of Greeley and landed his first real job: picking up trash at the lake and cleaning outhouses. It has been said that his exposure to trash led him into archaeology. We will not speculate about what cleaning the outhouses might have led him to. On his first dig as a professional archaeologist in 1976 he discovered that two thousand year old human trash isn't nearly as obnoxious as the new stuff. Michael graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and pursued both his Bachelor's (1976) and Master's (1979) degrees at Colorado State University. Upon completion of his Master's — his specialty was in physical anthropology — he went to work for Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs as a field archaeologist. It was in the winter of 1978 that he wrote his first novel. Irritated by historical inaccuracies in Western fiction, he swore he could do better. He was "taking retirement in installments," archaeology being a seasonal career, in the cabin his great uncle Aubrey had built. One cold January night he read a Western novel about a trail drive in which steers (castrated males) had calves. The historical inaccuracies of the story bothered him all night. The next morning, still incensed, he chunked wood into the stove and hunkered over the typewriter. There, on the mining claim, at nine thousand feet outside of Empire, Colorado he hammered out his first five hundred and fifty word novel. Yes, that first manuscript still exists, but if there is justice in the universe, no one will ever see it. It reads wretchedly — but the historical facts are correct! Beginning in 1981, Michael, along with two partners, put together his own archaeological consulting company. Pronghorn Anthropological Associates began doing cultural resource management studies in 1982, and, although Michael sold his interest in 1984, to this day the company remains in business in Casper, Wyoming. During the years, Michael has worked throughout the western United States doing archaeological surveys, testing, and mitigation for pipelines, oil wells, power lines, timber sales, and highway construction. He learned the value of strong black coffee, developed a palate for chocolate donuts, and ferreted out every quality Mexican restaurant in eight states. He spent nine months of the year traveling from project to project with his trowel and dig kit, a clapped-out ‘72' Wonder Blazer, and his boon companion, Tedi, a noble tri-color Sheltie. That fateful day in November, 1981, was delightfully clear, cold, and still in Laramie, Wyoming. Archaeologists from all over the state had arrived at the University of Wyoming for the annual meetings of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists. It was there, in the meeting room, way too early after a much too long night, that Mike first laid eyes on the most beautiful woman in the world: Kathleen O'Neal Gear. The BLM State Archaeologist, Ray Leicht, introduced him to the pretty anthropologist and historian, and best of all, Ray invited Mike to lunch with Kathleen. It was the perfect beginning for a long and wondrous relationship. Not only does Ray make a mean violin, he's not half bad as a matchmaker either. Michael and Kathleen were married on October 1, 1982. As a result of changes in Federal policy, the long hours away from home, the ever growing dream of writing full time, Michael sold his interest in Pronghorn Anthropological Associates in 1984. All through 1985 Mike wrote full time while Kathy worked for another year. Many of her colleagues asked, "But has he made any money yet?" Finally, in 1986, Kathy left the Bureau of Land Management and the two of them moved to the Colorado cabin at Empire. For the next three years, with no running water and only two wood stoves for heat, they pounded out novel after novel. Mike wrote eight before he finally sold one. Kathy wrote five non fiction books, and sold the first novel she ever pitched. The hard work paid off in March of 1987 when Tor Books bought Long Ride Home on Thursday and DAW Books bought the Spider trilogy the following Tuesday. Kathy made her first sale that summer, and they were on their way. In answer to Kathy's one-time colleagues, it would seem that he can pay the bills after all. In all, Michael has published fourteen novels under his own name and co-authored another fifteen with Kathleen. His work runs the gamut from historical, to prehistorical, to science fiction, to modern thrillers. All of his work deals with some aspect of anthropological theory. His Morning River was nominated for the Pulitzer prize in fiction, and the National Book Award in 1998. Currently residing in Thermopolis, Wyoming, Michael has returned to his lifelong loves. He lives on a ranch that contains a stratified, two-hundred-and-fifty acre archaeological site, some of the most outstanding scenery in the world, and unlimited opportunities to practice his shooting. A twenty thousand volume library keeps him up to date in the anthropological field, as do the annual Society for American Archaeology and American Association of Physical Anthropology meetings he attends every year. He and Kathy are raising some of the most glorious bison in North America, and a bug-spattered BMW 1100RT motorcycle waits to take them cross country for summer events. His office window looks out over the Wind River Indian Reservation and the nearest neighbor is an Arapaho Ranch line camp six and half miles to the southeast. Along with his beautiful Kathy, he shares his life with two Shelties, Jessie and Ben, and one horse, Pancho, and last, but never least, his mule, Berdina. (Sadly, Berdina was killed by lightning July, 2001) Michael and Kathleen are currently at work drafting out the story for their next prehistory book, People of the Owl, a novel set during the height of the Poverty Point culture in Northern Louisiana three thousand five hundred years ago. W. Michael Gear's Website Tor Books Browse W. Michael Gear's books on Amazon.com. Back to top. Joseph Marshall III In his career Joseph Marshall III has been a teacher at the high school and college levels, an educational and health programs administrator for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, a craftsman of primitive Lakota bows and arrows, an historian, and a writer.  He has helped to form a non-profit advocacy group for Native American students and parents, develop and implement Native American studies curriculum, spearhead the planning and design phase for the eventual construction of a hospital, as well as serve as a founder and charter board member of Sinte Gleska University.  As a writer he is doing that which he enjoys most professionally. Joseph has published five books and is writing his sixth.  In addition he has been a contributing writer to four other publications.   All of his work has won critical acclaim.  His fifth book - The Lakota Way: Stories and Lessons for Living - was a finalist in the spiritual category for the prestigious Books for a Better Life Award from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of New York.   It was also a finalist in the creative non-fiction category for the PEN CENTER USA award.  The Lakota Way received excellent reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and The Library Journal.  His sixth work in progress is Thunder Dreamer: The Journey of Crazy Horse, scheduled for publication in 2003. Writing has led him into the realm of public speaking.  Joseph has spoken to a variety of audiences across this country and has also lectured in France, Sweden, and Siberia.  In addition he is a teacher for management seminars as well as presenting workshops and seminars based on his books. Joseph has also written several screenplays.   One was selected by the Sundance Institute for its Native Screenwriters Workshop at UCLA in the summer of 2000.  He also appears in several episodes of The Real West, a syndicated program on The History Channel, served as technical consultant in a television movie and had an on-screen role in the television mini-series Return to Lonesome Dove. Joseph is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and he and his wife Connie have a blended family of nine: six daughters and three sons, and three grandchildren. Joseph Marshall III's Website Penguin Putnam Browse Joseph Marshall III's books on Amazon.com. Back to top. David Matheson David Matheson was born into the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation in 1951. Matheson has spent a lifetime learning and living the teachings of the Coeur d'Alene. Hunting, root digging, berry picking, and camping are a major part of his family's regular routine, as are observing the Tribe's traditions and ceremonial dances and events. He has worked and lived most of his adult life on the reservation, where he has served as a Council leader, the Tribal Chairman, and manager of various tribal operations. David Matheson is currently the CEO of the Coeur d'Alene Casino & Resort Hotel in Worley, Idaho. Matheson holds an M.A. in Business Administration from the University of Washington. Over the past twenty years, Matheson has held many esteemed positions and has received many honors for his work in preserving cultural traditions, the native language, and ceremonial practices. He has served as the Deputy Commissioner for Indian Affairs for the U.S. Department of the Interior; the CEO for Coeur d'Alene Development Enterprises; an advisor for the President's Commission on Reservation Economies; a delegate to the People's Republic of China's Native American Trade Mission; and a recipient of Commendation from the Secretary of the Interior for Outstanding Service. In his spare time, Matheson enjoys training and riding horses, competing in cutting and reining, as well as participating in Native American traditional dances and pow wows. David Matheson's Website Red Thunder Reading Group Guide Media Weavers Browse David Matheson's books on Amazon.com. Back to top. Thomas Perry Thomas Perry won an Edgar Award for The Butcher’s Boy, and Metzger’s Dog was a New York Times Notable Book. Vanishing Act was chosen as one of the 100 Favorite Mysteries of the Century by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association, and Pursuit was a national bestseller. His next suspense novel, Dead Aim, will be in stores in December 2002. Perry lives in Southern California with his wife and two daughters. Thomas Perry's Website Random House Browse Thomas Perry's books on Amazon.com. Back to top. Penina Keen Spinka Penina Keen Spinka is the author of many award-winning novels for young adults about Native American culture. Her books for adults, also dealing with Native American culture, include Picture Maker and Dream Weaver. She lives with her husband in Glendale, Arizona. Photo © Jerry Walters Penina Keen Spinka's Website Penguin Putnam Browse Penina Keen Spinka's books on Amazon.com. Back to top. David & Aimee Thurlo As of July 31, 2002, David and Aimée Thurlo have been married for thirty-two years. David was raised on the Navajo Indian Reservation and left Shiprock after seventeen years to complete his education at the University of New Mexico. Aimée has lived in New Mexico for thirty-two years. Their home is populated with dogs, horses, and various pet rodents. The writing team's fifty novels, which have appeared under Aimée's name as well as pseudonyms, have been published in more than twenty countries. They have repeatedly made Ingram's A-List as well as Waldenbooks' and B. Dalton's bestseller lists. Photo © Kim Jew David & Aimee Thurlo's Website Browse David & Aimee Thurlo's books on Amazon.com. Back to top. David Marion Wilkinson David Marion Wilkinson, a fifth-generation Arkansan, has lived in Texas since 1972. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1980 with a B. A. in English. The author has worked as a carpenter, mortgage loan officer, a legal investigator for a civil trial firm, and in the domestic and foreign oil fields. His second novel, The Empty Quarter, draws upon his experiences in the North Sea and Saudi Arabia. His first, Not Between Brothers, won the 1997 Violet Crown Award for fiction, was a Spur Award "Best Novel of the West" finalist, and was selected "Editors Choice" by The Review of Texas Books. His short story, "Opening Day," published by ReadWest Online Magazine, won the Western Writers of America 2000 Spur Award for Best Western Short Fiction. Wilkinson is a member of Western Writers of America, and sits on the board of Ozark Creative Writers. His third novel, Oblivion's Altar, a historical saga of a true life family at the center of the 1830's Indian removal crisis and the Trail of Tears, will be released by NAL/Dutton in November, 2002. Wilkinson is currently at work on a memoir with retired Texas Ranger Joaquin Jackson. At the twilight of Jackson's 27-year career with the Rangers, Texas Monthly magazine featured his image on their bestelling edition ever (February, 1994). Jackson went on to act in feature films The Good Old Boys, Dancer, Texas, Rough Riders, and Blue Sky. Wilkinson lives in Austin, Texas with his wife, Bonnie, and their two sons, Dean and Tate. David Marion Wilkinson's Website Browse David Marion Wilkinson's books on Amazon.com. Back to top.   (c) Copyright 2002, AuthorsOnTheWeb.com. All rights reserved.

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