Richard Compson Sater retired from the U.S. Air Force after 24 years of service, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. He spent most of his career in photojournalism, a veteran of both Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Thirst is his second novel, following Rank (2016). Sater earned a bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s in creative writing from Purdue University, and a Ph.D. in fine arts from Ohio University. He has at various times been a professor, radio announcer, bookkeeper, bricklayer, bartender, critic, actor, and window-shade salesman. He lives in Seattle.