About the Author

Gail Ow is the author of Before Falcons Flew, a historical novel set in territorial Hawaii, the Korean War era, and the dawn of the jet age.

The novel began with a question.

Like many children of military veterans, Gail grew up knowing certain parts of her father's story. She knew he’d been a fighter pilot. What she didn't know was where that journey began.

Only later in life did she discover that her father had been born in the plantation camps of Maui, in the Territory of Hawaii. Growing up, she had known him as an officer and a fighter pilot. She knew almost nothing about the world he came from.

The contrast fascinated her.

How does a boy from a Hawaiian sugar plantation grow up to become an Air Force pilot during the early years of the jet age?

That question led to years of conversations, research, and a deeper understanding of a generation shaped by war, rapid technological change, and opportunities that did not always seem possible from where they started.

While Before Falcons Flew is a work of fiction, its flight sequences draw inspiration from the real experiences of Gail's father, who earned his wings during the Korean War and flew in the early years of the jet age.

Before turning to writing, Gail spent her career in technology, working in areas including Product Management, Marketing, Technical Support, and Business Development. Her interest in periods of rapid change, whether in aviation or technology, continues to influence her writing.

Today, she lives in Texas and continues to explore stories about ambition, transformation, and the moments when ordinary lives intersect with history.

Gail Ow is the author of Before Falcons Flew.

Join the Reader List for updates on the novel, research discoveries, and publication news.