A S Thom

James Alexander Craig Thom (1933–2023) was an American author celebrated for his deeply researched works, primarily in the Western and colonial American historical fiction genres. His commitment to authenticity was profound, often involving immersive experiences to understand his subjects, such as living off the land or spending extensive time with Indigenous communities.

Thom's career began after serving in the Korean War and earning a journalism degree. He worked as an editor for prominent publications like The Saturday Evening Post and contributed to others such as Reader's Digest and National Geographic. He transitioned to freelance writing and novel-writing in 1973, publishing his first novel in 1978. His breakthrough came with "Long Knife" and especially "Follow the River," which sold over a million copies and became a New York Times bestseller, cementing his reputation for historical accuracy. He received numerous accolades, including a Golden Spur Award.

Thom was renowned for his dedication to historical accuracy, which he achieved through painstaking research and personal immersion. For his novel "Follow the River," he reportedly consumed insects, worms, bark, and roots to understand the survival methods of his protagonist. He also spent considerable time with a Shawnee tribe to research "Panther in the Sky," a biographical novel about Tecumseh. This commitment extended to his personal life; he meticulously restored a 19th-century log cabin using period tools, reflecting his belief that "Everything you do is research." He saw living and learning as integral to effective writing.

After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War and earning a journalism degree, Thom pursued a career in writing. He held editorial positions at The Saturday Evening Post and contributed to various magazines. His fiction often explored pivotal moments in American history, focusing on figures and events from the colonial era and the westward expansion. Notable works include "Long Knife," about George Rogers Clark, and "Panther in the Sky," about the Shawnee leader Tecumseh. His 1981 novel "Follow the River," based on the 1755 Draper's Meadow massacre and Mary Ingles's escape, became his most successful, selling over a million copies and reaching the New York Times bestseller list. He also co-authored works with his wife, Dark Rain Thom.

James Alexander Craig Thom was born in Indiana and maintained a strong connection to the state throughout his life. He was married three times and had a notable relationship with Dark Rain Thom, a member of the Shawnee Nation, with whom he co-authored several books. He admired author Kurt Vonnegut, with whom he corresponded, and later became an honorary board member of the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library. Thom's dedication to his craft was recognized with awards such as the Golden Spur Award from the Western Writers of America and honors from the Indianapolis Public Library Foundation, including a Lifetime Achievement award.

“Everything you do is research. The more you live and learn, the better you can write.”