Tom Riggins

I live on the outskirts of Sacramento, California, with my wife. We’ve been married for over 40 years. We share our little ranch house with our dog, cat, and a couple dozen opinionated chickens that run the place more than I do. We enjoy gardening, sailing, and exploring new places, especially when history is involved.

I’ve spent my career in the computer technology industry, but I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands: woodworking, tinkering, restoring, and building. My wife and I have both been involved in historical reenactment for over two decades. We've performed in plays, led historical tours, and even run a nautical-themed educational group. A lot of my story ideas come from that shared love of history.

Writing is something I find deeply rewarding. Not just the finished product, but the process of getting a story out of my head and onto the page (or screen). Most of my stories get their start on vacation, usually with my feet in the sand and a computer on my lap, a tradition that sparked the story behind Beach Combers.

Dance Noir, a novella, is my latest release, featuring a sharp-witted private eye in 1930s Sacramento. Now that it's finished, I can get back to work on Privateers of the Dauntless, a historical nautical adventure, and I have several other tales simmering on the back burner. Hopefully, another Nick Gazelle investigation is not too far behind.

For me, the writing is the goal and the reward; editing is the work; publishing makes it real; and if others enjoy the ride, well, that’s just icing on the cake.