J. A. Partridge has been an editorial assistant for a regional newspaper, an accounting specialist in a variety of accounting fields, a special projects coordinator (whatever that is) and a web application developer/designer/stylist. Perhaps not too surprising for a biology major who somehow ended up with a BA in Philosophy and Religion.

He's also an award-winning poet, but he's promised to give that up.

He currently lives in south Texas with his wife and two kids and a hedgehog named Speppers where he does the web thing, designs and plays games and has finally acknowledged that continuing to fence épée will only get him hurt. He is currently working on over a dozen short stories and novels simultaneously.

James B. Sharkey, a card carrying member of the Cherokee nation, got his degree in psychology before settling down into more or less permanent lab-rat status at UC Berkeley. His understanding of the twisted workings of the human mind has no doubt colored his equally twisted stories and can certainly be blamed for causing him to come up with the name for this little group. Fortunately we appreciate that sort of thinking and knew it was the right name as soon as he suggested it.

Jim is married to a psychologist who has worked with the criminally insane. We suspect she married him to use him as research. They currently live in the San Francisco Bay area with their two children.

Insomniac. Veritable creature of the night. Many words can be used to describe R. Todd Hurt, none of which will ever contain the word normal or any of its close relatives. His nomadic tendencies have finally deposited him in South Texas. The proximity of his creative partner in crime, J. A. Partridge, has given birth to many a concept of a most bizarre nature.

With the occasional, weary glance over slumped shoulders, he continues to be employed in the private sector for a less than thankful people whose job it is to mold and shape the minds of this country's youth. Yes, the prospects are truly frightening.

Oh, and he's a drummer too.

Mild mannered professional IT manager by day, by night...well, we don't really know what he does by night and we don't want to know, but whatever it is, it keeps him pretty busy since we don't hear from him too much.

When he's not MIA he lives in north Texas with his wife, three kids and a labrador retriever named Scout.

We also hear he still drums be we're not sure about that.

Brian L. Bird, Birddog to his friends, is an honest to goodness nice guy, wholeheartedly prepared to finish last. Because in the long run, slow and steady wins the race. Wearer of many hats on duty with the Air Force and off duty, he is known for being spiritual, intellectual, deep hearted, loving, caring, and a romantic who enjoys baths over showers, a good stout over an ale, and holds his friends close around him like family.

He’s been published in an online Christian magazine, sold a game concept to Upper Deck Entertainment, developing a web comic and juggles the military life with that of an up and coming small press game designer. Current projects are in development with the creative minds behind www.fabricari.com and www.frenzyart.com.

Finding the pathways of higher learning a bit lofty, Bruno drunked out of college upon realizing he was on a 5yr plan in a 2 yr school.After spending time as a struggling actor and a standup comic, he joined the Air Force which sent him around the world meeting various people and cultures.

Curiously he is not a drummer but has fronted several bands in his many travels.

He currently resides in South Texas where he originated and plans to live out his life. A virtual never ending source of material, Bruno writes with the gunslinger mentality of the old west. Give him a situation, stand back and watch him draw.

Of us all, Mason is the most qualified to be here, having earned a master's degree in creative writing. He currently lives in Oklahoma City with his wife, where he works for a major telecom business and where, when he's not writing, he drums for various bands.

What is it with CTMB and drummers? We've got three of them already!