JOHN CLAUDE BEMIS grew up in rural eastern North Carolina, where he loved reading the Jack tales and African American trickster stories, as well as fantasy and science fiction classics. A songwriter and musician in an Americana roots band, John found inspiration for his fiction in old-time country and blues music and the Southern folklore at its heart. John lives with his family in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Visit John's Web site at JohnClaudeBemis.com.