Ralph Forrest-Ball earned a master's degree in Mathematics at the age of 21 and was a math teacher for twelve years. He then turned to locksmithing, eventually earning the title of Certified Master Locksmith. He was definitely born on the wrong island. He grew up a stranger in his own tribe, having Asperger syndrome and Attention Deficit Disorder. Prior to this novel, most of his writing was non-fiction. He lives in Oregon with his wife Barbara.