Richard Alther is the author of three novels: THE SCAR LETTERS (Centaur Books/2013), THE DECADE OF BLIND DATES (Lethe Press/2008) and SIEGFRIED FOLLIES (Regent Press/2010). Born and raised in New Jersey, he graduated as an English major from Cornell University and pursued twin careers as a writer and painter. He wrote extensively about vegetable gardening and homesteading to earn his family's living while exhibiting his art in one-person shows in Montreal, London, Los Angeles, Boston, Dallas, and Florida. Richard has competed nationally as a Masters Swimmer and won four gold medals and a silver the Gay Games in Chicago. After continuous and far-flung adventures as an emerging gay man, he met his husband, the musician Ray Repp. They divide their time between homes in Southern California and Vermont, where their grandchildren reside.