Writing for the reader

Neal Powers (left), shown during an exchange in a hotel lobby in Chicago. The author eventually discovered this  reader was a bronze sculpture.  That explains why the conversation never got off to a good start. 

Who We Are

Neal makes his home in O'Fallon, MO with his wife and best friend of thirty years, Mary Stahr (Harris).  They each have graduate degrees from the University of Missouri and are now retired, Neal from a career in aviation, and Mary from teaching.  They have four daughters, Maria, Barbara, Susan and Mary Katherine.  Each one of them is grown and independent.

Neal and Mary grew up in Fulton, MO, a small town of 11,000.  It was full of colorful characters.

When asked if Raleigh was modeled after his boyhood home, Neal replied,  "What a preposterous notion."