James B. Anstead's mother fostered a love of literature and appreciation of poetry in him. He began his teaching career in 1977. Away from the classroom, he devotes much of his time to basketball. James holds two degrees from Northern Kentucky University: a BA in history and an MA in education. He is currently employed by the Covington Public Schools in Kentucky. His hobbies include reading, listening to music, and occasionally singing at a local pub, cooking, and hiking.