Mark Russell was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in Somerset, England. His first full collection was Spearmint & Rescue (Pindrop). He has published four pamphlets and chapbooks: ¿ (the book of moose) (Kattywompus), ¿ (the book of seals) and Saturday Morning Pictures (both Red Ceilings), and Pursued by Well-being (tall-lighthouse). He teaches Drama and lives in rural Scotland.