Glen Sobey taught and lived in Alaska Native villages for many years and continues to live in rural Alaska with his wife, three dogs, and a forest cat. He plays several musical instruments, hikes, kayaks, catches fish (sometimes), builds things, repairs more things, gardens, shovels lots of snow, splits too much wood, enjoys his family, and writes as often as he can. Though he has written many musicals and songs, The War Blog is his first novel, which includes eight original songs available for listen and download at thewarblog.com.

I taught English, history, government, music, media, and drama in high schools in Alaska after moving from Texas. Taught myself guitar and banjo, while improving my keyboard skills. As a first time novelist in November 2015, I had no idea how much time and commitment I would need during the next two and a half years to finish The War Blog. Which was probably a good thing. On a whim I sat down at my computer and decided I would write a book during National Novel Writing Month. As foolish as that sounds to me now, I will be forever grateful to NaNoWriMo for the impetus to get started. For the next few weeks, Crystal Rose’s voice played in my head: her pain, her spunk, her insecurities, and her wit. Amazingly, I did not finish at the end of that month. Took 2 1/2 more years.

I have written a new book—No Fences in Alaska— about a troubled, pregnant teen fleeing to her grandfather in Alaska to start a new life even as his own fades. Sample chapters are available at glensobey.com.