Mark Neaves is a lifelong resident of North Mississippi who has spent twenty-two years as a history teacher at the middle school, high school and community college levels. His love of history was fueled by his grandfather from the time he was young, and he has spent countless hours researching different historical periods. He holds a bachelor's degree in social studies from the Mississippi University for Women, a master's degree from the University of Mississippi and a master's degree from Heritage Christian University. He is the coauthor of Little Fish, Big Splash and author of Mississippi Bear Hunter Holt Collier: Guiding Teddy Roosevelt and a Lifetime of Adventure. He has been married to his wife, Marti, for twenty-five years, and they have two children, Riley and Emma Kay. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, writing, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.