About the American Title V Finalists
I grew up in a litter of five; each one of us was born in a different state. Moving so frequently, my siblings and I relied upon each other for entertainment. So I come by my wanderlust and the love of a good story honestly. Once my own children were born, I thought it would be a novel idea to stay in one place long enough to put down roots. Hence, I’ve made Minnesota my home ever since. Now that my children are grown . . . my feet are getting itchy again.
I’m a member of RWA, Midwest Fiction Writers, and the Inksters–a critique group made up of six fantastic and amazing writers.
If you’d like to read the first chapter of TRUE TO THE HIGHLANDER, or take a look at my newest work, LEGEND OF THE DRUID LAIRD, please visit my website: www.barbaralongley.com
My mother read fairy tales to me and my four siblings when we were young. Small wonder I love a touch of magic in books – and in real life. My favorite people are quirky and strong-minded, so that naturally shows up in my books. Tormented characters, too. Love happy endings, but first the characters need to suffer.
I torture my characters and husband and spoil my dog and cat in my southeastern Wisconsin home. My short stories have been in National magazines. I’m a co-creator of an inspirational website for writers, www.writeattitude.net, and I blog at my website and with Magical Musings.
I come from South Wales in the UK, where I live on the coast, a short walk from the ocean. I was a finalist in American Title IV in 2007. I like to read and write romantic thrillers, preferably set in glamorous locations, with heroes who have a little bit of mystery in their past. My online home is the Title Magic blog.
New Yorker by birth, Virginian by habit, I live with my boyfriend Mathew in the suburbs of Washington DC amid piles of books, yarn, beads, and motorcycle and computer parts. After four years at The American University (where I penned comic strips for the Eagle newspaper), I ignored my own better judgment and got yet another English degree, a master’s this time, from George Mason University. Then I learned that you actually can’t take the school out of the girl, and thus I’ve been working for the better part of the past 10 years in educational publishing.
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t making up stories, and I only vaguely recall a time before I realized I could make them into books. Though a lifelong science fiction reader, I fell in love with historical romance at 14, when I read my grandfather’s favorite novel, M. M. Kaye’s The Shadow of the Moon. (Yep, grandpa read romance!) I knew right away that this was the kind of book I wanted to write. And it only took me 20 more years to do it.
I’m a member of my local RWA chapter, the Washington Romance Writers, where I met eight wonderful critique partners who consistently impress, amuse, and inspire me. I’m also a member of the Dreaming in Ink Writers Workshop , where many generous non-romance-writers read my work anyway. My online home is my blog, justjayj.livejournal.com.
A former oceanographer and fitness professional, I am now a stay-at-home mom to my two beautiful boys. Originally from Montreal, I immigrated to the US in my thirties, first living in Rhode Island, then recently settling in the Pacific Northwest with my husband of ten years, a Scottish Highlander.
I was raised with French legends, told and sung by my late father, traditional stories that I now sing to my sons at bedtime. The sadness I feel over the fate of tragic lovers from these ancient legends and my interest in Celtic mythology have inspired me to use paranormal elements in my writing to reunite these torn couples in happy-ever-after endings.
A former editor, Michelle is an avid animal lover who enjoys reading everything from urban fantasies, to westerns, to contemporary romance. She loves to connect with readers and other writers and regularly blogs at her site, www.michellelaurenbook.com and at http://www.thenaughtygirlsnextdoor.blogspot.com.
By day, Qaey Williams slogs through the emotional ups and downs of elementary school students struggling to master the computers in her lab. By night, she buries herself in the romance and fantasies of her characters, dragging information out of them they least expected to reveal.
Writing has been a passion of hers since childhood. With the help of the Romance Writers of America she has improved her storytelling ability. SInce December 2007, under the pen name Qwillia Rain, Qaey has published two books with Loose Id, LLC and has a third scheduled to release on December 9, 2008.
Being selected as one of the finalists in the American Title V contest has been a thrill a minute and she’s honored to be amongst the other authors chosen by RT and Dorchester.
I was a small town girl with a big imagination, who had no idea what to do with her life. After graduating from college, I moved to a big city, started a family and a job, and still struggled to find that creative outlet I craved. An avid reader of historical romances, I decided to give writing a try and was hooked on the power of exploring characters, envisioning adventures, and creating whole worlds. I enjoy stories that take interesting twists and heroines who have the grit to surmount any obstacle, all without losing the ability to laugh. To learn more about me, stop by my web site at www.tamarahughes.com.
Either I was dozing or Qwillia never told her fellow LI authors about this!
Was I sleeping?
In any event, congratulations!!!!
Best of luck to all the finalists. Can’t wait to read the entries.