Born in the midlands of South Carolina, Scott spent his early years reading great science fiction novels, mysteries, fantasy books and the Choose-your-own-adventure series of the 1980s. Baughman knew he wanted to be a writer by the third grade, where as an elementary school student on career day he eschewed the fireman, soldier or policeman costumes to dress up as a fedora-wearing, camera-snapping member of the press. Today, several newspaper jobs and journalism writing awards behind him, he has published the first two books of his Balance of Power science fiction series - Rule of Thumb and Empire of Fire! He is the father of two sons and lives in Charlotte, NC with his wife Meda and their dog, Mayer.