Meet the Author
I was born in 1947 in Madison, Wisconsin, the third of four daughters, and began writing stories and poems at an early age. I majored in English and Creative Writing at the University of Wisconsin and was lucky enough to take a writing class from Isaac Bashevis Singer, who later went on to win a Nobel prize. He was an inspired teacher and had things to say about writing that have stayed with me to this day.
I eventually moved on to novel writing as an adult. I took creative writing classes and joined writers’ groups. But I also, after receiving an MLS from UC Berkeley, had a long and satisfying career as a public librarian. After retiring from library work, I got serious about publishing a book.
My mother was my inspiration always. She raised me to be a reader and a writer, but also an art appreciator. As children, she often took my sisters and me to the Chicago Art Institute, which was a treasure trove of great art. I loved many of the paintings there and continued to look for great art whenever I traveled. I first fell under Sargent’s spell at the National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh when I saw his portrait of Lady Agnew of Lochnaw. From then on, my husband and I made it our mission to find Sargent paintings in museums all around the world.
These days, I keep busy with four grown children and nine grandchildren, but am able to devote plenty of time to writing. I split my time between Berkeley, California, where half of my children and grandchildren live, and Point Reyes Station. In the countryside of Point Reyes, I read and write, garden and hike, and my husband plays his guitar.
The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit is my debut novel and I hope it finds readers that enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.