BIO

Rushton was born in California to Ulysses and Leonora Prince. Leonora is a retired teacher and acclaimed illustrator whose works include Lily of Watts, 1969; Nellie Cameron, 1971; and Maple Street, 1970. Her most recent work "Metalworked Man," is the cover illustration and depiction of a poem by the same name in Rushton's Abstractions in Poem: Perspectives of Life, Love, and War.

Rushton began writing in 1976. After graduating high school he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force from 1984 until 1997.

Beginnings: "Growing up in Claremont California, a college town, it was easy to become smitten with the writing bug. My thirst for reading was insatiable. I 'chain-smoked' sci-fi from 14 to 19 which meant spending many hours at the Claremont and Pomona Public libraries to support the habit. I became completely caught up with science-ficiton; that is the environments and characters. Yes, it was ok for strong men to cry and women to save the day. This was a new and fantastic fantasy world for me.

"During this time three writers stood out and greatly influenced me through their works and subsequent letters; Ann Maxwell, Jack Williamson, and William Tedford. After reading their books, I fired off a battery of letters on a whim. When they all returned my letters I was floored. And so began a series of communications which, to this day, I treasure...Ann's most of all though. She has continued to provide advice and mentoring. I was (and still 'am) inspired by her writing. When I was stationed overseas, to my delight and awe, Ann sent signed copies of her books which made some though times more bearable.

"Here's to you Ann!

"Ann's 'Jaws of Menx,' Mr. Williamson's 'The Power of Blackness,' and Mr. Tedford's 'Armada,' sci-fi books delivered from their pages, first encounters with words that enchanted and pulled me into their stories. How powerful! I could smell, see, and feel, the characters. Their stories were vivid environments that gave such life to emotion rich characters that I became part of the story. Beautiful first literary experiences delivered by master storytellers!"