Von E Martin

Von Martin, author of A LONG WAY TO NOME - The Serum Run '25 Expedition, was born at Camp Pendleton Marine Base in Oceanside, California. He is a member of the Pacific Northwest Writer's Association and is a graduate of the University of Hawaii where he was also an instructor in Anthropology. Von's professional career accomplishments include work as a teacher, construction specialist, musician, singer, writer, reporter, researcher, and competitive dog musher.

Von is the Vice-President of the Northwest Sled Dog Association. Since acquiring his first sled dog in the early 1990's he has logged thousands of miles by dog team throughout five western states, British Columbia, and Alaska. Von is employed as a construction news reporter and works from his rural log cabin home in southwest Washington state where he enjoys caring for his extended "family" of sled dogs.

In 2005 Von Martin was a member of Team USA in the World Cup Sled Dog Races. In 2009 and 2011 Von and his sled dogs participated in the Col. Norman Vaughan Serum Run '25 Expedtion - a midwinter 800 mile dog team journey across the Alaskan frontier bringing health education programs to native villagers.

Von has received numerous awards for outstanding care of his huskies and in 2012 was honored with the Northwest Sled Dog Association's annual award for the "Best Cared for Team", making him the only four time recipient in the organization's history.

Von's next book, A DOG CALLED SHAKESPEARE - Fallen Canine Hero of Shackleton's 1914 Antarctic Expedition, will be his first installment in a series of books chronicling the legacy of the remarkable dogs employed throughout the early polar expeditions. Publication is targeted for 2016