James Clay's childhood was spent watching Hopalong Cassidy on TV and devouring Fran Striker's Lone Ranger novels. Not surprisingly, he yearned to be a western hero. But people laughed whenever he put on a cowboy hat and he came to realize that his goal would have to be achieved vicariously. As a literary agent, James spends much of his working day grumbling about writers who consider their high school careers to be a source for The Great American Novel. He lives in San Diego with his wife and cat, both of whom, he notes, are remarkably patient with him. Dusty Barnett is James Clay's third western.
