Carolyn Steele
Carolyn is the daughter of a naval officer. She was born in San Francisco. Her parents moved frequently. She has lived in Memphis TN and Corpus Christi TX. During her teens the family settled in Tulsa OK.

She was an Editorial Assistant with the Independent Petroleum Association of American before going into graphic arts. Carolyn worked for Tuloma Gas Products, Inc. and later with Triangle Company before opening a graphic arts studio. She was a self-employed artist for 15 years.

The love of history is a characteristic she inherited from both parents. Like most Oklahomans, she has "a little bit" of Indian blood and Native American history is a family favorite. The source of her first novel was her mother. This story is about No-Chance, a half breed Seminole and an outlaw running from his past. No-Chance is caught up in the 1836 removal of the Creek Indians to Oklahoma. Carolyn devoted four years to research and the study of the Creek language in preparation for this book. The novel won second place in Historical Fiction, Authorlink's 2002 International Competition. A sequel is planned.

Carolyn combined the study of genealogy and history to develop several short stories. "Something For Melba" is a story of her Alaskan grandfather and the love he had for his daughter. The story of her grandmother, a mail-order bride, is told in "The Bride." Harsh winters in 1920s Alaska deals with death in the frozen wilderness in "The Rescue."

Carolyn is presently working on her second novel, a story about a teenage boy in northern Missouri. Against his father's better judgment, he enlists as a substitute soldier during the Civil War. He contracts the measles, develops a lung disease and is discharged in January of 1865. Not knowing whether his father would welcome him back into the family, he endures many hardships during the 300-mile walk home.

No Chance
A Novel, Chapter 1

The Bride
A Short Story