Starley Talbott has been a freelance writer for more than 30 years.  Her writing experience was gained in a newspaper career, as a magazine article writer, and in volunteer work throughout the world. 

Starley was raised on a ranch in Wyoming where she spent much of her free time reading and writing.  She was educated in a small school and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wyoming.  She lived for many years at  Encampment, Wyoming, where she raised three children.  Later, she earned a master's degree from the University of Nevada, Reno. 

After living most of her life in Wyoming, Starley continued her journey through life while living in several states and foreign countries. At the age of 60 she joined the Peace Corps and served briefly in South Africa. She has taught Conversational English in Peru and China. She wrote her first book, Lasso The World, to share stories of places, events, and people she had met.

Starley has an interest in and writes about the heritage of local and national communities.  She has compiled a pictorial history of Platte County, Wyoming, including the events and people that have shaped the communities of the area.

Starley currently lives and writes from her ranch home in Wyoming, where she and her husband, Beauford Thompson, grow a small vineyard. This led to Starley's interest in writing about  the pioneers who are planting new vineyards and building new wineries in the high plains states.  She has published two books on this subject.