About the Author, Deborah Schneider

Once Upon a Time…

I was born in upstate New York, and my mother tells me at age four I had an imaginary friend. I really have no memory of him, but I believe he was the first character I ever created.

I attended the State University of New York College at Oswego graduating with a degree in Secondary Education, Social Studies (American History) and got married that same summer to my handsome, "Love at first sight" guy. We settled in a small town and I worked in a rural school district.

Several years later we decided to "Go West" and headed from New York, on a trip that took six weeks and brought us to some of the most beautiful country in the world. Arriving in Seattle, we took a look at the mountains, the water, the ferries, and decided, "This must be it." We settled in another small town, this time in the Pacific Northwest.

One day I decided to write a romance novel. I had a great idea, (at least I thought it was great), and I'd been reading romance for many years, having been bitten in the early 80's by the romance bug. If I could read one, surely I could write one. (Yeah, right!) Since we had purchased a computer for my sons, I decided I had the right equipment, the magical story idea and all I had to do was put in on paper, send that paper off to editors in New York, and viola! I would be a published author.

How foolish and naive I was and very upset when the editors in New York sent my chapters back without including a check. What did they mean, "Not suitable for our line?" Why, this was the work of a literary genius...ME!! I searched for advice, and found the local chapter of Romance Writers of America. How fortunate for me that they let me join and that they were patient and understanding.

My first book, Beneath A Silver Moon received the "Most Unsinkable Heroine" award as part of the Molly contest sponsored by The Heart of Denver Romance Writers. I received a certificate, and best of all, a beautiful cameo.

Later that year, I was part of the first Dorchester contest to find a, "New Historical Voice" and my first book was published in 2002.

It's taken a bit of time to sell the second book, things happen, live intervenes but in 2009 my next Western romance will be published by The Wild Rose Press. Stay tuned for more details about Promise Me.