Steve Wiegenstein taught at a number of Missouri colleges, including Drury University, Culver-Stockton College, and Central Methodist University, until his retirement. A native of the Ozarks with roots in Madison, Iron, and Reynolds counties, he is the author of three historical novels set in the Missouri Ozarks. His most recent book, a collection of short stories, was a finalist for the 2021 PEN/Faulkner Award in Fiction. He now writes full-time and is at work on a continuation of his historical novel series.