Russell Vance McFall

Russell McFall is the author of the Space Cadet Richard series—clean, character-driven science fiction adventures that blend humor, teamwork, and timeless values. His stories follow a bold young hero and his loyal crew as they face mysteries, near-misses, and the kind of tech glitches only a programmer could dream up.

Russell spent over thirty years in software development, which helps explain his comfort with rogue AIs, scrambled signals, and missions that hinge on pressing just the right button (or avoiding the wrong one). But storytelling has always been his true calling—especially the kind that stirs faith, sparks imagination, and brings families together to read and dream.

The series began as a bedtime tradition—space adventures told off-the-cuff to his children, who were homeschooled for sixteen years. One character kept returning: Space Cadet Richard, a slightly chaotic but big-hearted teen who would one day star in a growing series of novels. Today, those stories continue to entertain and encourage readers of all ages, especially homeschoolers, families of faith, and anyone who enjoys a clean, good-hearted adventure.

Russell has also spent decades teaching Sunday school, where his love for Scripture and storytelling often intertwine. His writing reflects the same values: faith, friendship, curiosity, and a team that doesn’t tear itself apart—but grows stronger through every challenge.

Now in his seventies and semi-retired, Russell still writes regularly from his home in North Carolina, where he shares life with his wife Debbie (editor and encourager-in-chief). Whether he’s teaching a Bible class, debugging a computer, or plotting a new space mystery, one thing is certain: he never stops asking questions—and he never stops writing stories.