Michael Marsden graduated from Utah State University in 1963 with a degree in Applied Statistics and Computer Science. He began a 30-year career with the USDA Forest Service that spring when he took a position in the newly opened Forestry Science Laboratory in Moscow, Idaho. He received his Master's Degree in Forest Biometry from Colorado State University in 1973. During his career with the Forest Service he authored or coauthored over forty published reports and scientific papers.
Michael's work with the Forest Service took him to many interesting locations in the West. Having become infatuated with the colorful history of the area, Michael retired to north Idaho in 1993 to write mysteries and other fiction using these unique western settings. He is married, has three children, and two grandchildren. He has had poems published in The Poet's Voice, Voices, and Moose Bound Press. His entries in the Idaho Writers League contests include four First Places, four Second Places, three Third Places, and two First Place Honorable Mentions in just four years of competing. Michael has served in the Idaho Writers' League as the 1st Vice President for the state organization and President and Vice President of the Coeur d'Alene Chapter.