William H. Drinkard, an Alabama native, is a life long SF addict and novice SF writer. His main interest is SF novels with realistic alien cultures. He collects old books and first editions (non-SF, mostly 18th & 19th century works); he also collects Pre-Colombian Art and Middle-Eastern artifacts. He is the outgoing Chairman of the Alabama Historical Commission, which has charge of the State Capitol plus many of the state’s historical sites. In his multifaceted life, he has been the VP of an advertising agency, a politician, hospital administrator, and real estate developer.  He now operates a consulting business.  Drinkard earned a BS at Auburn University and a MBA at Jacksonville State University. Elom is his first novel.