Gregory T. Glading

Breaking news! My newest novel, The Seventh Bell, is now published and available in three formats Two of my novels are finalists for a major award. Darka's Quest is a finalist for the American Legacy Book Awards' best Historical Romance, and Rivka's Revelation is a finalist for best Religious Fiction. I just got word that both Rivka’s Revelation and The Hymn of Mara are finalists for The Kingdom Book Award’s Best Christian Fiction

I was born at the University of Pennsylvania hospital in 1958, across the street from Franklin Field, a stadium as iconic as Shibe Park. Elvis was number one on the charts; Marilyn was queen of the silver screen; and Mantle was slugging home runs. My first ten years were tumultuous as my family moved ten times. After a bitter divorce divided the family, we settled in a quaint neighborhood called Banjo Town, outside of Wayne, Pennsylvania. The Banjo Town neighborhood of my epoch also boasts artists Zaporah Hildebrandt, Wendilee Heath O'Brian, and novelist Russell Heath. I attended Radnor Township public schools up to June of 1975 until abruptly sent to West Nottingham Academy in Colora, Maryland for my senior year. I graduated with the WNA class of 1976. My fondest youthful memories are my summers at Camp Greenbrier in Alderson, WVA.

I joined the United States Army after high school. I served with the 10th Special Forces Group and the Eight US Army in Korea. After my enlistment, I attended and Temple University and graduated in 1983. I also re-enlisted in the United States Army Reserves. I lived in various Philadelphia neighborhoods until settling in South Philly. My South Philly experience inspired my Novels, '64 Intruder and Chords of Time.

I later visited South Africa. My visit unexpectedly lasted ten years. I worked as a professional wrestler under the avatar Gorgeous Greg Bragg. My nickname among the other wrestlers was "The Riot Starter." I hold the distinction as the only former full-time retired professional wrestler to have written multiple book-length standalone adult fiction novels. I am also one of only two professional athletes, the other football player Peter Gent, to have written multiple novels without a co-author or ghost writer, and the sole former professional athlete to have written multiple novels outside of the sports genre.

I returned to the United States in November of 1994, electing to settle in Florida rather than Philadelphia. I first worked as a sergeant in the Florida Department of Corrections. Keeping secrets from inmates takes effort. Word leaked about my background as a professional wrestler. The inmates nicknamed me "Smack Down." I also enlisted in the US Army Reserves, thinking it was only a part-time gig. 911 hit. My unit got deployed to Iraq. I was attached to the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division at Camp War Eagle AKA The Dirty Bird. I earned multiple medals. I am most proud of earning the "Order of the Spur." The award states, "With Saber and Carbine in hand and having displayed those traits associated with all accomplished Cavalry Soldiers: Skill, Cunning, Dash, and Fervor, is hereby entered into the walls of the Charger Order of the Spur and is awarded a pair of Combat Cavalry Spurs," After my deployment, I moved from Southern Florida to Central Florida. I worked in Disney Transportation and doubled as a Teamster shop steward. As of now, I have lived in four different continents and have visited over forty countries. I am most proud of my sons, Dante and Pierce. Pierce was the 2021 Florida High School Baseball Player of the Year and is currently playing college baseball on a full scholarship. Dante was an all-county offensive tackle and is playing college football on a full ride.

My novels are not autobiographical in the least. Nevertheless. my travels, experience, and the people I have met influence my creative endeavors. My only pop culture influence is British actress Barbary Steele whose convincing, captivating, and compelling roles inspired Lenore from Severed Ties and Severed Ties II. Lenore's Revenge