R. A. Salvatore was born in Leominster, Massachusetts on January 20, 1959. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He began writing seriously in 1982 and became a full-time writer in 1990. His first novel, The Crystal Shard, was published in 1988. His other works include The Halflings Gem; Sojourn; The Legacy; Starless Night; Vector Prime; and The Two Swords. He is also the author of numerous series including The Dark Elf Trilogy; Paths of Darkness; The Hunters Blades Trilogy; The Cleric Quintet; Saga of the First King; and Neverwinter Saga. He made The New York Times Best Seller List with his title Charons Claw.