
Salvatore sent the work to several publishers from 1983 to 1987, including TSR, Inc. He created the setting of Ynis Aielle for the novel, writing it in longhand by candlelight. In 1982, he started writing more seriously, developing a manuscript he titled Echoes of the Fourth Magic about a submarine sucked into a post-apocalyptic future that resembled a fantasy world. Salvatore collection at his alma mater, Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. In the fall of 1997, his letters, manuscripts, and other professional papers were donated to the R. He attributes his fierce and vividly described battle scenes to his experience as a bouncer. Before taking up writing full-time, he worked as a bouncer. He earned this degree in 1981 and later a Bachelor of Arts in English. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications/Media from Fitchburg. He developed an interest in fantasy and other literature, promptly changing his major from computer science to journalism. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, given to him as a Christmas gift.

During his time at Fitchburg State College, he became interested in fantasy after reading J. A graduate of Leominster High School, Salvatore has credited his high school English teacher with being instrumental in his development as a writer.

Salvatore was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, the youngest of a family of seven.
