As a child, Raymond Hackney’s mother and grandmother told him stories about an ancestor, Daniel Asbury, who was captured by Indians.  Later, Daniel escaped and became a circuit rider preacher in the Methodist Church.  Those stories spurred Ray’s imagination of what it must have been like to live among the Indians. As an adult, Ray searched for more information about Daniel Asbury.  He collected newspaper articles, found information in libraries, and searched the county archives where Asbury had lived. Then he had a dream.  He wanted to walk in Daniel Asbury’s footsteps by writing a novel about his captivity and his journey toward freedom.  That was an eight-year journey culminating with the publication of A Plea for Freedom.  

Ray grew up in Gastonia, North Carolina, twenty miles west of Charlotte.  Ray had, what seems to him, a pleasant childhood – a loving family and many friends his age.  He walked to school.  After school, he played backyard football and basketball, or explored the woods.  Sometimes during those explorations, he would hunt birds with his sling shot (though he never hit one, for which he is now thankful). Ray was a boy scout earning his eagle scout award. 

Ray attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel, earning a B.A in Chemistry, an MS in Environmental Sciences, and a DrPH in Biohazard Science.  He worked in occupational health and safety at UNC- Chapel Hill, and Duke University.  He currently lives near Hillsborough, North Carolina with his wife, Heidi, daughter, Rebecca, and two cats (Chester and Huey). Ray has enjoyed hobbies involving the outdoors including camping, sailing, white water canoeing, and hiking.  His international travels have taken him to South America, the Middle East, China, Europe, and sailing in the Caribbean.   

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