Profiles: G

I've been writing for 6 years and will have published nine novels before the year ends. I love writing, and the art of crafting a story. Research is a way for me to expand my knowledge in areas I wouldn't otherwise investigate and I love to visit places I write about. My next story is set on Martha's Vineyard and the story will be part of the SISTER, SISTER anthology for St. Martin's Press for 2001.

Marilynn Griffith is a freelance writer living in Florida with her husband and children. Her recent credits include CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN'S SOUL, PROVERBS FOR THE PEOPLE, FOR BETTER FOR WORSE, "Whispers" from HEAVEN MAGAZINE and THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNICATOR. She has recently sold a four-book romance series to Baker Revell. the first book, STRENGTH OF DESIGN, will be released in Fall 2005.

Shirley Hailstock sold her first novel in 1994. In the books that have followed, the theme of strong black women and compassionate black men runs through them. Shirley books are both contemporary and historical romances and romantic suspense. They have appeared on bestseller list such as Blackboard, the Library Journal, Amazon.com, and the Glamour Magazine list. She won the HOLT Medallion, the Romantic Times Magazine Career Achievement Award, the Waldenbooks Bestselling Romance award and her novel, LEGACY, appears on the 100 Greatest Romances of the 20th Century list. Shirley lives in New Jersey with her two teenage children.

Hampton is a native St. Louisian who has a true gift and passion for writing. Being quoted as, “Miss Author On The Rise,” Hampton’s Two’s Enough Three’s A Crowd and How Can I Be Down? currently hold five star rankings on Amazon and are being called “Modern Masterpieces.” In addition to writing, Hampton manages her own insurance business and is the founder of an organization designed to encourage and empower women. Her hobbies include writing, writing and more writing. When not writing, she’s spending time with her four-year-old son, and twin daughters in college.

Linda is extremely happy to report that her writing career is progressing very nicely. As a first-time author, she’s been busier than busy. ICE UNDER FIRE is doing very well, the result of numerous signings at home and across the country. It has been selected as Manager’s Choice at several of the Walden’s Bookstores in her area. Arabesque Armed Forces Tour 2000 has showcased her title in Washington State and Texas, with further stops planned. She has also taken her title to numerous military installations in her home state of California and in Arizona. A Nevada base is scheduled for early September 2000. Several cover stories and news articles on Linda have been released in various publications across the country.

An invitation to speak before and hold a book signing for the Colton Chapter KIWANIS Club resulted in a nomination and the selection to appear before all the KIWANIS Clubs in the communities nearby her own. In partnership with an African-American bookstore, Phenix Information Center, she is offering a series of writing workshops to interested residents in the Inland Empire. She has also recorded and trademarked Marketing Magic, a taped series that highlights the marketing strategies proven highly effective for her, which can be purchased. Linda is dedicated to helping the Lupus Foundation bring about national awareness regarding the debilitating disease, which affects more African-American women than any other ethnic group. SOULFUL SERENADE is scheduled for release in August 2000.

Sonia Icilyn was born in Sheffield, England, where she still lives with her daughter in a small village which she describes as 'typically British.' She graduated with a distinction level Private Secretary's Certificate in Business and Commerce and also has a Master's Degree in Writing. SIGNIFICANT OTHER, Sonia's first romance title, was published in 1993. Since then, she has added five titles to her name. She has been featured in 'Black Elegance' and 'Today's Black Woman' magazines, and her work has appeared on the 'Ebony' recommended books to read list. She would love to hear from her readers at P O Box 438, Sheffield S1 4YX, ENGLAND, or you can e-mail by visiting her Web site at www.soniaicilyn.com.

Lisa Harrison Jackson recognized her love for writing while attending Sacred Heart Elementary School in Omaha, Nebraska. It was a fourth grade creative writing project that opened her imagination and poured out the words to her first story. Since then she has written more than 100 short stories during her youth. After achieving her Bachelors in Communication from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Lisa further honed her writing skills through various writer positions where she had several articles published in newspapers and magazines. Currently, she's written over 20 novels, but At Last! is the first she had published. Lisa currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and daughter and is working on her next novel, titled ALL I'VE EVER WANTED.

Darlene Johnson, author of of DREAM IN COLOR and the newly released As We Lay lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with her two young sons and nephew. When Darlene is not writing, she spends as much time as she can outdoors, hiking and camping with family and friends in the Wasatch Mountains and area canyons that surrounds Salt Lake City. She also enjoys snowboarding, visiting hot springs, and working out at the gym to stay in shape to keep up with her boys. Darlene is a Quaker and is the editor of the Salt Lake Monthly Meeting Religious Society of Friends monthly newsletter.