Dale Morton has a very diverse range of interests and a very unusual career. His academic studies included creative writing and sculpture at West Virginia State College and Marshall University, as well as mechanical drafting at Carver Technical Institute. He is 56 years old and makes his living as a self-employed mascot costume designer and sculptor. His interests include aviation, history, warships and submarines. His favorite authors are Tom Clancy, Patrick O’Brian, J.R.R. Tolkien, and J.K. Rowling. Dale spent six years researching and writing The Return of the Flying Boat, and has several other novels in the planning stages, two of which are sequels to his first. Dale lives in Hurricane, West Virginia, with his family.