James Alexander Thom was born in Gosport, Indiana, in the year 1933. He pursued his education at Butler University, where he graduated with a BA in journalism. After his graduation, Thom served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. His passion for writing led him to become a professor of journalism at Indiana University, and he also contributed to The Saturday Evening Post.
Thom is renowned for his works in the Western genre and has written several highly acclaimed novels, including "Follow the River," "Long Knife," "From Sea to Shining Sea," "Panther in the Sky," "Sign-Talker," "The Children of First Man," and "The Red Heart." His novel "Panther in the Sky" won him the prestigious Western Writers of America Spur Award for best historical novel.
James Alexander Thom's personal life has been as interesting as his professional one. He was married five times, and his fifth wife, Dark Rain Thom, was a member of the Shawnee United Remnant Band until its dissolution. They lived together in the "Indiana hill country" near Bloomington. Dark Rain Thom's influence on Thom's writing can be seen in his books, as he often incorporates Native American themes and perspectives into his work.