Rick Nau studied writing at the University of California, Los Angeles, honing his skills by attending the Santa Barbara Writers Conference for many years, where he had the opportunity to learn from gifted writers such as Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451), Sloan Wilson (Man In The Grey Flannel Suit), and William F. Buckley (Airborne: A Sentimental Journey). While there, he penned the award-winning short story Daph, set during the polio epidemics of the 1950s. He has written four novels, which comprise the Tales Of Hope Series. His fifth novel in the series is now in work. Rick lives in Los Angeles with his wife Bettina, who keeps him busy tending to the needs of the hummingbirds and orioles she loves.