Joseph Sutton was born in Brooklyn and raised in Hollywood. He played football at the University of Oregon and graduated with a degree in philosophy. He earned a teaching credential and a degree in history at California State University Los Angeles. He has been a high school English and history teacher and also a costume jewelry salesman. Sutton, who has been writing for over 45 years, has published ten other books. His essays and short stories have appeared in numerous national magazines and journals. He lives in San Francisco with his wife Joan.