“When I
settled to writing seriously, which would be in my 30s, I did expect to be
published eventually, but my aspirations weren't very high. A published book
and a few appreciative readers was my idea of heaven.” – Jo Beverley
Born in
England in September of 1947, Beverley started late but once she got going became a very prolific writer with millions of those “appreciate readers.” Writing in historical, science fiction and
romance genres, she produced 43 novels and 18 novellas lauded as well
researched, filled with historical details, and peopled by communities of
interesting interlinked characters.
After moving to Canada in 1976 she became a founding member of the Ottawa Romance Writers' Association (ORWA) in 1985 and in 1988 became the first “romance” writer to be a finalist in the "L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future" Science Fiction contest.
Beverley won dozens of writing prizes and two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times, The Golden Leaf Award and the Readers' Choice Award. She also is the sole Canadian romance author to be inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. Shortly before her death in 2016 she was asked if she could meet someone from the past, who might that be?
“I'd pick Jane Austen," she said, "because I'd like to know what really made her tick. It's my opinion that she was inhibited by her family and a desire to do the right thing. Away from all that, I believe she'd show new facets and enjoy the adventure.”
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