MaryJanice Davidson has been credited with starting paranormal chick lit. She is the author of the Undead series and Me, Myself and Why? Her books have been listed on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists, and she lists her goals as “Working for world peace, figuring out how to make potstickers, and speaking at writer and reader conferences around the world.” She lives in Minnesota. Lois Greiman was a horse trainer, model, fitness instructor, and veterinary assistant before selling her first book in 1992. Since then she has written numerous contemporary, paranormal and historical romance novels and mysteries. The recipient of an Affaire de Coeur’s Critic’s Choice Award, a Romantic Times K.I.S.S. Award, and a Midwest Fiction Writer’s Rising Star Award, she lives on her small farm in Minnesota with her family and menagerie of pets. Michele Hauf has written works of romance, action-adventure, and fantasy for more than fifteen years, and France, musketeers, vampires and faeries populate her stories. Her first published novel was Dark Rapture. Leandra Logan is an award-winning author of more than thirty novels for adults and teenagers. She lives in Stillwater, Minnesota, with her family.
Biography
Reading the coyly self-deprecating autobiography on her web site, one gets the distinct impression that MaryJanice Davidson does not have the slightest interest in talking about herself. Perhaps it's because she simply doesn't have the time. Prolific does not begin to describe this chart-busting dynamo, the author of four bestselling series and literally dozens of novellas and short stories. A writer with a few romances and YA novels to her credit, Davidson had tried for years to interest publishers in her idea for a humorous, tongue-in-cheek vampire romance. After dozens of rejections (and assurances that there was no market for paranormal!), she submitted her manuscript for publication online. An editor at a New York publishing house downloaded the story, was royally entertained, and contacted Davidson to acquire the print rights to Undead and Unwed. On the spot, she was offered a three-book contract.
When Undead and Unwed and its wry sequel, Undead and Unemployed, were released in early 2004, not one, but two stars were born: Davidson and her irresistible protagonist, the reluctant vampire queen Betsy Taylor. A smart, sassy, 27-year-old secretary, Betsy is killed in a freak car accident and wakes up (so to speak) to discover that she is not only a vampire but the much-prophesied Queen of the Undead. Readers loved Davidson's wry take on vampire literature, a genre long distinguished by its gothic self-seriousness. Betsy, with her smarty-pants attitude and passion for designer shoes, is one vampire queen who owes more to Sophie Kinsella than to Anne Rice.
While Davidson has continued to produce more Undead novels, she has also found the time to launch three other romantic fantasy series featuring 1.) a hybrid mermaid named Fred, 2.) an eccentric family of Alaskan royals, and 3.) a cyborg spy. All are infused with her trademark wit and imagination. In addition, she and her husband, Anthony Alongi, have written the Jennifer Scales series, originally marketed to young adults and re-released as fantasy fiction for all ages. Davidson also remains one of the most popular writers of paranormal romantica; her short stories and novellas appear regularly in anthologies.
Good To Know
Davidson is not the only one in her family to achieve fame. Her mother once broke the world record for target shooting. Before she devoted her time to chronicling the love lives of vampires and werewolves, Davidson was voted Miss Congeniality in her high school.
Even though Davidson is one of the most popular writers of modern monster fiction, in real life she is actually terrified of the undead. In fact, she is currently holding a contest on her web site asking readers to put together a twelve-step program to help her get over her fear of zombies!
As she writes on her website, Davidson lived a transient life as a young girl. Her father's career in the U.S. Air Force led her to live in such disparate locales as Guam, Mississippi, and North Dakota. As she grew older, her life in the working world was just as restless as her childhood. She tried her hand at everything from waitressing to modeling to editing to a stint as a medical test subject (!) before settling on a career as a bestselling novelist. These days, her life may be a bit more settled, but it has hardly slowed down.
A few fun outtakes from our interview with Davidson
"I'm a former model -- worst job ever, honestly."
"I'm a gigantic sushi hog -- it's pretty much my favorite meal."
"The more terrible and groaningly awful a horror movie is, the more I like it."
"Um, I like bubble baths? Seriously. I know that sounds like something a Playboy Bunny would say, but I really do."
"I like taking my kids to new restaurants and encouraging them to try new dishes -- we did "Dim Sum" just the other day."
