Long ago in a far away land called Minnesota, where sub-zero winters were the norm, Linda Style dreamed of becoming a novelist. But, having a practical side--one that told her getting a job that paid the bills was probably a good idea--she earned degrees in journalism and in behavioral science. Since then, Linda’s worked as a case worker, a human rights advocate, photographer, journalist, magazine editor, a management consultant and the Director of the Department of Health Services Office of Grievance and Appeals for the seriously mentally ill. “All great research for my books,” she says.
In 2000, after five years of writing in her spare time and four nominations for the RWA Golden Heart Award, Linda’s last GH entry was bought by the senior editor at Harlequin Superromance. Thirteen novels later, Linda’s award-winning books are sold worldwide and translated in many languages. Winner of the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award, Linda says she has the best job in the world.
“I still can’t believe someone wants to pay me for making up stories. And doing research gives me the perfect excuse to indulge my passions for travel, photography and doing unusual things,” she says. In her quest for authenticity in her novels, Linda has spent time on a firing range with her local police department, participated in mock hostage negotiations, been attacked by a canine unit dog (albeit wearing a padded suit), rappelled down the side of a mountain, eaten things she didn’t recognize, and mingled with bikers at the Sturgis motorcycle rally in South Dakota.
Linda belongs to the Phoenix Desert Rose Chapter of RWA, PASIC, the KOD Mystery/Suspense Chapter, and she’s been a PAN member since that first book sold She teaches novel writing at Bootcamp for Novelists Online and when she’s not teaching, writing or hanging out with bikers, you’ll find Linda enjoying her wonderful family in Gilbert, Arizona. Or…maybe trekking up the side of Machu Picchu on another “research” trip.
