Ratliff, Thomas M. 1948- (Carroll Thomas, a joint pseudonym)

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Ratliff, Thomas M. 1948- (Carroll Thomas, a joint pseudonym)

PERSONAL:

Born March 31, 1948, in St. Louis, MO; son of Grover Buford (a minister) and Caroline Emily (a teacher) Ratliff; divorced, 1985; children: Christian Thomas. Education: Attended Tunxis Community College, 1987-88; Central Connecticut State University, B.S.Ed., 1991, M.S., 1994; doctoral study at University of Connecticut; Southern Connecticut State University, M.I.L.S., 2004. Politics: Libertarian. Religion: "Reformed Deist."

ADDRESSES:

Home—Plainville, CT. E-mail—lightsaber17.comcast.net; ratlifft@ccsu.edu.

CAREER:

Worked as social studies, humanities, and English teacher at high schools throughout Connecticut; Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, began as adjunct instructor, 1993, became associate professor of history and education. Post University, adjunct instructor for online classes, 1998—. Military service: U.S. Naval Reserve, active duty, 1967-70; served in Vietnam.

WRITINGS:

MATTY TRESCOTT SERIES OF JUVENILE NOVELS; WITH CAROLE B. SHMURAK, UNDER JOINT PSEUDONYM CARROLL THOMAS

Matty's War, Smith & Kraus (Lyme, NH), 1999.

Blue Creek Farm, Smith & Kraus (Lyme, NH), 2001.

Ring Out Wild Bells, Smith & Kraus (Lyme, NH), 2001.

Riding by Starlight, Smith & Kraus (Lyme, NH), 2002.

The Town on Rambling Creek, Smith & Kraus (Lyme, NH), 2004.

Under The Open Sky, Antrim House (Simsbury, CT), 2005.

OTHER

You Wouldn't Want to Be a Civil War Soldier: A War You'd Rather Not Fight, illustrated by David Antram, Franklin Watts (New York, NY), 2004.

How to Be a Revolutionary War Soldier, illustrated by John James, National Geographic (Washington DC), 2006.

Contributor to Middle School Journal, Research in Middle Level Education, Dragon Lode, and area newspapers.

SIDELIGHTS:

Thomas M. Ratliff once commented: "Matty's War was a collaborative effort, in that each of us brought different knowledge and interests. We found, by brainstorming together and editing each other's work, we could achieve a credible voice and a unity of characters. For me, having someone to write with provides lots of motivation, as well as a sounding board for ideas. Writing about Matty's life (in two books now) has been very rewarding. She is a real character to me, and I think of her as a part of my family."

Later Ratliff told CA: "My writing continues to be a blend of history and fiction, and I have enjoyed both aspects of my creative work. I love writing the story of history and teaching history to my students, and I love writing stories about history and sharing them with young people. I continue to work with my coauthor, Carole B. Shmurak, although not in collaborative ways: we started a writing group a few years back and meet regularly with a few of our friends who are equally passionate about writing. Since writing is a solitary (and sometimes lonely) profession, our group provides support, encouragement, technical advice, and friendship. What more could a writer want in life."