Lawn, Judy 1953–

PERSONAL: Born March 5, 1953, in New Zealand. Ethnicity: "European/New Zealander."

ADDRESSES: Home—New Zealand. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Reed Publishing (New Zealand) Ltd., 39 Rawene Rd., Private Bag 34901, Birkenhead, Auckland, New Zealand. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: Writer. Worked as a journalist and editor of a small country newspaper.

MEMBER: Romance Writers of New Zealand, New Zealand Society of Authors, PEN New Zealand.

WRITINGS:

The Shrimp Who Wanted to Be Pink (children's picture book), Reed Publishing (Auckland, New Zealand), 2003.

Progressions (novel), Zumaya Publications (Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada), 2003.

Butterflies (mystery fiction), Zumaya Publications (Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada), in press.

Contributor of short stories to women's magazines.

WORK IN PROGRESS: Mainstream fiction for women; a mystery novel; children's stories.

SIDELIGHTS: Judy Lawn told CA: "I was first bitten by the writing bug nearly twenty years ago. My first published short story was a fishing yarn—I am a great fisherwoman! I have had quite a few short stories published, everything from fun romances to a story about pig hunting.

"In March, 2003, my first children's picture book, The Shrimp Who Wanted to Be Pink, was published here in New Zealand where I live. This was followed by my first novel, Progressions, mainstream women's fiction, which was published in Canada. To say I'm thrilled is an understatement. I am at present working on another woman's mainstream novel and another mystery, plus more children's stories.

"Writing is a very busy, solitary occupation, but I thoroughly enjoy it. Watching the characters come to life is a thrill that is hard to describe. They always seem like real people to me. I like to read relationship stories about women's lives, and I guess this is what I write about, too. I usually write in the morning, as I am a morning person and this is my main creative period. Afternoons might be spent in editing work or answering mail.

"I certainly hope my books are liked and enjoyed by readers the world over."