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Q&A With Shirley Hailstock

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Shirley Hailstock
Author, Self-Publisher
Location: Plainsboro, NJ United States
Joined: Jul 23rd, 2007

About (request update)

Shirley Hailstock, the first African-American board member of Romance Writers of America (RWA) the largest genre writing organization in the world, went on to become their first African-American president (2002-2003). Shirley is a best-selling, award-winning author of thirty-five novels and novellas. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Howard University in Washington, D.C. and an MBA in Chemical Marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ, Shirley's initial wish was to be the first female astronaut. During her undergraduate days she developed her love for romance novels and acting on a dare from a fellow romance reader, she wrote a short contemporary novel, Ice Maiden, in 1986. That novel became a semi-finalist in the prestigious Golden Heart Contest, sponsored by the 10,000+ member organization Romance Writers of America.

Whispers of Love, Shirley's debut novel, was published in September 1994. The romantic suspense received critical acclaim from the Gothic Journal, Romantic Times Magazine, Affaire de Couer, Rendezvous and Booklist. Whispers of Love, winner of the HOLT Medallion, is in its 4th printing and was optioned for a television movie of the week. Clara's Promise, Shirley's first historical romance, won the Heart of the West Award. Additionally, Romantic Times presented Shirley with a Career Achievement Award and her novel, Legacy, received the Waldenbooks Award for Bestselling Multicultural Romance. Legacy was also listed as one of the 100 Greatest Romance Novels of the 20th Century and Affaire de Coeur Magazine’s Readers Poll named Shirley Hailstock the Outstanding Achiever of the Year 2002. Shirley’s books regularly appear on the Blackboard and the Library Journal Best Seller lists. The recipient of nearly every award for romance writing, her short story made it all the way to the finals of the Chicken Soup for the African-American Soul books. Shirley’s 35th novel Promises to Keep, will be available in August 2015.

Shirley is a three-time president of the New Jersey Romance Writers, a chapter of Romance Writers of America. She is also an officer of Women Writers of Color. Shirley writes contemporary and historical romance and mainstream women's fiction.

Living in Central New Jersey, Shirley has been an Adjunct Professor of Accounting at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick campus and Novel Writing at Middlesex County College. She’s also taught Economics at an inner-city junior high school in Trenton, New Jersey. Shirley continues to teach writing to published and aspiring authors at various conference workshops across the country. Additional information and a full booklist can be found on her website at http://www.shirleyhailstock.net

Current Whereabouts:

Waiting books

Website:

http://www.shirleyhailstock.net

Education (request update)

Howard University class of 1971

Undergrad Major: Chemistry

Campus Organization:

Alpha Kappa Alpha

Claim To Fame:

Published her 35th novel as an independent publisher. Recipient of Emma Merritt Award, the highest service award given by Romance Writers of America (RWA). Recipient of the Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times Bookclub Magazine. Recipient of the Pinnacle Award, the highest award given by Fairleigh Dickinson University.