Tracy Lee Ford

I am a self taught paleontologist and paleo-artist. I have had dozens of articles published in scientific publications and have named three dinosaurs (all ankylosaurs or armored dinosaurs). Aletopelta coombsi (with Jim Kirland as a co-author), the first scientifically named dinosaur in all of California; Glyptodontopelta mimus and Edmontonia australis, both from New Mexico. For the last two decades I’ve written an ongoing column in the Magazine Prehistoric Times (the longest running dinosaur magazine) called How to Draw Dinosaurs. I use the anatomy of the dinosaurs to help artist depict dinosaurs more accurate. I used that knowledge in this book. I’ve been involved with paleontology for over 25 years and have attended many symposiums, and I can call many a paleontologist my friend. Some of the symposiums and research articles from paleontologist helped greatly in the accuracy of the book. I enjoy writing, both scientifically as well as Science Fiction. I have a love for dinosaurs and want to express this through this book and help bring back dinosaurs, as scientifically accurate as I can. I have two websites, one that lists all the published Paleozoic and Mesozoic animals that I can find in literature; http://www.paleofile.com, and my first one; http://www.dinohunter.info.

I’ve self published two generic Dinosaur a Skull a Day Calendars, and the first volume of How to Draw Dinosaurs (volume 2 will be published early 2016, volume 3 in 2017, and volume 4 in 2018).

I am currently working on a huge book about flying and gliding tetrapods of the Paleozoic and Mesozoic, and hopefully it will be out late 2016 or early 2017.

I’ve written a novel called Dinosaur Isle. It is a more accurate, scientifically correct version of Jurassic Park. I used the science of John Horner, Mary Schweitzer, etc., in which they use blood vessels, soft tissue preservation, etc. After 65 million years dinosaurs once again walk the Earth on three islands near Guam. D.N.A. (Dinosaur National Association) used their funding, modern paleontologist findings and modern DNA research, have ‘grown’ dinosaurs. Dozens of dinosaurs of all sizes roam the largest of islands. One island houses the main research for ‘growing’ dinosaurs from egg to young animals. They are then taken to the largest island where a team of paleontologists studying the behaviors of the dinosaurs. The islands are not open to the public, but are for research only. But something has gone awry. ‘Raptor’ dinosaurs have been found off these islands and it’s up to Agent Jack McConnel (from a newly formed UN Agency) and his team to find out why. First he needs to understand how D.N.A. has ‘grown’ dinosaurs, their behavior and what dinosaurs are on the islands. Then use that knowledge to help find the dinosaurs off the island. The mystery takes him to the Mid-West United States, England, Guam, and the Komodo Islands and even off planet. The problem becomes more volatile; explosions, death, necropsies, traitors, grand schemes, earthquakes and hurricanes hinder Jack’s investigations. He also has to dodge giant sauropods, fighting T. rexes, Triceratops, ‘Raptors’, catching dinosaurs and being chased by dinosaurs. This is the beginning of his journey in life as well as for the ‘new grown’ dinosaurs. But the reader has to be careful, because they just might learn a thing or two about dinosaurs. The science of paleontology is part of the book and the glossary explains the scientific evidence of sections of the novel.