Scott F. Smith
Scott F. Smith continues the spirit of the Old West created by his father, Cotton Smith, author of the first two books of the Corrigan series and other wonderful Western adventures, such as Pray for Texas and Behold a Red Horse.
Vengeance Wears a Star is Scott’s debut novel and is rooted in the elements that made Cotton’s books great—grand themes, moral conflict, and courage. He grew up with a love of American history, reading, and Western movies and is an Eagle Scout and recipient of the Boy Scouts of America’s Silver Beaver Award. He continues to volunteer with Scouting to help develop tomorrow’s leaders.
As a youth, Scott was introduced to the ceremonies, customs, and traditions of the Plains Indian. Research for Western storytelling heightened his appreciation for and spiritual connection to the land. For many years, he participated in the Desert Caballeros trail ride, covering a hundred miles in a weeklong trek through the Arizona mountains each year.
Scott is an award-winning writer and producer for corporate clients and relishes the experience of staring at a blank piece of paper or computer screen and creating a story within an easy-to-imagine world. He previously taught high school media and video production, having enjoyed sharing his storytelling expertise as well as helping students bring their own tales to life.
A member of the Western Writers of America, Scott and his wife, Cindy, are global explorers but call Lawrence, Kansas, home.
Cotton Smith
Cotton Smith was a writer all his life—from award-winning advertising to unforgettable Western novels. He was also a Western historian, artist, and horseman. His books have won accolades from critics and readers alike for their historical accuracy, memorable characters, and intriguing plot twists.
A Spur Award and Branding Iron Award-winner, he was a former President of the Western Writers of America. His unforgettable Western novels include Ride Away, Kill Town, Blood of Bass Tillman, and Behold a Red Horse. His stories of the West are praised for historical accuracy, unexpected plot twists, and memorable characters.
A lifelong resident of Kansas City, Cotton was an Eagle Scout and the recipient of the Boy Scouts of America’s Silver Beaver Award. He also authored Trail to Eagle, a history of the Boy Scouts in Kansas City; Set Sail with the Wind, a book on marketing strategy; and was co-creator of the original musical First Light for the first televised world-famous Country Club Plaza Christmas Lighting Ceremony in Kansas City.
Cotton and his wife, Sonya, were taken from the world all too soon. Their spirits live on in their children and their families—including son and author Scott F. Smith, who has stepped into the saddle of creating more Cotton Smith Western adventures. The countless lives Cotton touched with his lifetime of community service, athletic coaching, Scout leadership, and nearly twenty-five novels and anthologies speak to a life well lived.