Barbara Longley moved about a lot as a kid, and she learned early on how to entertain herself by telling stories. Her wanderlust continued into adulthood, when she lived in an Appalachian commune, taught on an Indian reserve, and traveled from coast to coast. She decided to try staying put after having her own children, settling in Minnesota. She uses her master's degree in special education to teach elementary school during the day. By night, she investigates all things mystical, paranormal, and newsworthy, incorporating what she discovers into her work.