Harold Courtright's Bio:
Harold was raised as far into the country as one could get in New Jersey in the 1950’s. Some of his favorite memories involve walking or fishing by himself or with his father at a nearby brook. Even though Harold’s father passed away when he was eleven, he never felt alone during his continued explorations, and the woods remained his closest friend. His experiences in nature soon led to an affinity with earth-based pagan religions.

Harold met his wife Rita in 1978 during the course of a previous field service job. Rita introduced Harold to the earth-based Celtic ceremonial religions of Wicca. Harold found that Wicca validated his deeply felt spiritual beliefs. After studying Wicca, Harold felt that there was something missing. He felt the need to reach back further than the early Celtic era and identify with something from our most ancient history. As he searched further, he came across Native American Shamanism. Harold believes, “…shamanic practices are the reason we believe in an after-life at all.”

After years of study, Harold now performs shamanic healings and divinations for individuals. He has also led souls who have passed on to the brink of heaven to be received by the Great Mother. He believes a critical aspect of shamanism, before and during his journeys, is self-study. During the course of a journey, a shaman can see him or her self as no one else can, thus gaining important self-knowledge and confidence. Harold explains, “Shamanic practices require courage to accept what you see.”

The style of Harold’s writing is what separates Soaring Eagle from other books on Shamanism. The lyrical and rhythmic prose of the novel allows the reader to be an intrinsic part of the unfolding story. In contrast to Harold’s left-brain day job as a maintenance supervisor scheduling technicians who repair trains, he delivers ecstatic and poetic prose that soars like an eagle.

His current novel is titled The Familiar and is a recasting of the timeless beauty and the beast theme. Once more his vivid imagery pulls the reader into the character's world of loneliness and emotional pain, and once more his unique view of the human experience bonds with his ability to weave a stunning tale. The story takes the reader into a world in which love lasts forever, and beauty is the beast.

Harold’s wife Rita fully supports his writing and publishing career. Today Harold enjoys his solitude while doing woodworking and taking long walks and country drives with his wife. Harold’s next novel will be released in 2007 and is titled The Horn of Unyk.