Kathleen O’Neal Gear

State: Wyoming

Kathleen O’Neal Gear is a nationally recognized archaeologist and award-winning author whose work blends rigorous scholarship with rich storytelling. Raised in California and later settling in Wyoming, Gear holds advanced degrees in archaeology and history. Before turning to fiction full-time, she served as a state historian and archaeologist for the U.S. Department of the Interior. She is best known for co-authoring the bestselling North America’s Forgotten Past series with her husband, W. Michael Gear, which brings to life the complex civilizations and spiritual traditions of prehistoric North American peoples. In addition to historical fiction, she has written science fiction, thrillers, and standalone novels grounded in archaeology and Indigenous history. Her meticulous attention to cultural detail and powerful female protagonists have earned her numerous literary and historical preservation awards. Beyond fiction, Gear is an accomplished nonfiction writer and public speaker. When not writing, she resides on a working ranch in Wyoming, where she continues to draw inspiration from the land and history that surround her.

Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Nonfiction, Science Fiction, Thriller

Audiences: Adult