Stephen Burckhardt

Stephen Burckhardt was born in Wichita, KS. His family moved around quite a bit while he was growing up, but always stayed around the Wichita area. After spending a few years as a child living on a ranch near Benton, KS, Stephen developed a deep love for all things western. Being a proud member of the Cherokee Nation only deepened his interest in history, animals, and Native traditions.

After earning a degree in journalism from Wichita State University, Stephen spent years writing for various publications, even doing a bit of work in broadcast news, and eventually worked as a ghostwriter. One of his early assignments was writing a western for another author. The novella received great reviews with the only real complaint being that it was too short, the readers wanted more. It was after this project, Stephen developed an insatiable desire to continue writing westerns under his own name.

Stephen's love of westerns even carried over into his married life when he married the love of his life in 2013 in The Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita, KS. The couple were married in the First Presbyterian Church on site and the reception was held in the Cowtown's saloon. The happy couple hope to one day get back to a ranch life were they can fill their land with all kinds of animals, gardens, and even a small orchard. Currently, they live with their rescue dog, Shaggy.

To reach a wider market, Stephen decided to write his books as serial novellas instead of full novels. They are a takeoff from the old movie "cliffhanger" serials they used to show at the movies before the main feature. Each saga is divided into 5 or more novellas depending on how talkative the characters are in the story. This makes them short, easy, but entertaining reads for a person with a busy schedule.