Linda O. Johnston (Wednesday)

I’ve been a writer all my life!

My first published fiction appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and won the Robert L. Fish Memorial Award for Best First Mystery Short Story of the Year. Since then, I’ve had more short stories published, plus eleven mysteries, eighteen romance novels, and several novellas.

My new Pet Rescue Mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime is a spinoff from my Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series. The Pet Rescue Mysteries debuted in March 2011 with BEAGLEMANIA and continues with THE MORE THE TERRIER, an October 2011 release. HOUNDS ABOUND will debut in April 2012. Protagonist Lauren Vancouver runs a no-kill pet shelter in LA’s San Fernando Valley and will do anything to save animals. In the Pet Rescue Mysteries, “no-kill” means pets, not people!

I also write paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne including the Alpha Force miniseries about a covert military unit of shapeshifters. So far, they include ALPHA WOLF, ALASKAN WOLF, and GUARDIAN WOLF, and the Nocturne Bites "Claws of the Lynx," which is contained in the print anthology AWAKENING THE BEAST. Other Nocturne Bites include “Hawk’s Conquest,” an October 2011 release, and “Cougar’s Challenge,” a November 2011 release. There’s at least one more to come.

In addition, my first Harlequin Romantic Suspense novel, UNDERCOVER SOLDIER, will be a July 2012 release.

I’m also a transactional lawyer and love writing contracts as well as fiction. Okay, I admit it. Sometimes contracts are fiction!

I’ve taught courses on romance writing at the California State University, Northridge College of Extended Learning and The Learning Annex in Los Angeles. I’ve spoken on romance writing and mystery writing at various chapters and conferences of the Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime chapters, the Independent Writers of Southern California, and the Surrey Writers’ Conference. I’ve also presented a variety of programs, and participated in panels, at libraries and bookstores. This year, I’m additionally presenting an online class called Kiss Me or Kill Me: Cozy Mystery Writing 101 for Romance Writers, to be offered starting in February by the Orange County Chapter of Romance Writers of America.

I’m a member of the Los Angeles chapters of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. I’m also a member of Romance Writers of America, including the Los Angeles and Orange County chapters, as well as International Thriller Writers.

Visit me anytime at www.LindaOJohnston.com, and here at Killer Hobbies each Wednesday!