James A. Foster

Author, Epicure, Wrangler of Cats

I retired from the University of Idaho as a Distinguished Professor of Biology, Philosophy, and Computer Science, with an extensive academic publication and editorial record in the sciences, mathematics, and humanities. These days I write novels, short stories, and poems. I have published short stories and poems and am querying many pieces (see “Current Projects”), and I have won some minor awards. Thirty-four years ago, I moved from Chicago to a tiny North Idaho town, much like that in my debut novel, “To Bury Lilly”. When not writing, I read classical Greek poetry, play the blues, and shoo my calico kitten, Skitterbutt, off my keyboard.

Recent News

Inducted into the Hawaii Writers Guild

I’ve been inducted into the Hawaii Writers Guild! I first went to Hawaii in 1973, and have returned at least once a year since, sometimes to give scientific talks or consult on building high performance computing centers or improving medical education and

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“Two?” to appear in Flash Phantoms

My flash piece “Two?” will appear on 1 November in Flash Phantoms! This story began life in Jess Walter’s workshop on short stories at the 2024 Kauai Writers Conference. Our assignment was to write a story on a cocktail napkin. I took

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Notes from the Wonderground