Welcome to our New Faces column, where we turn the spotlight on debut romance authors. This week we're chatting with Ann Roth, whose first romance is Stranger in a Small Town, an October 2000 release from Silhouette Special Edition. Let's meet Ann.

Hi, Ann! Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, but moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington (I have an undergraduate degree in psychology and an MBA in finance and human resources management from the UW). There, I met my husband, also from Indiana. We've have been married nearly 27 years, and have three lovely college-age daughters and one fesity, finicky cat. We still live in the Seattle area, but we head back to Indiana once or twice a year to visit family.

Are you coming to romance writing from another job?

When I'm not writing, I travel the country as a training consultant for mid-size and large banks. In other lives, I have worked as a banker and a tax preparer.

What led you to write romance?

I've always read voraciously. About eight years ago, I got hooked on romance. I loved those gritty, flawed men and tough, yet feminine women. But it was the optimism that ended every story, that chance at everlasting love, that lured me in as a reader. One day a little over seven years ago, I simply pulled out a laptop and started writing a love story that had been rumbling through my brain for several months. I've been at it ever since.

Tell us about your road to publication.

It took me close to seven and a half years to sell (I sold the seventh book I'd written). Along the way, I'd been submitting and entering contests, attending workshops and conferences, and listening to my critique partners. I suffered setbacks, and once or twice, I thought of quitting. But I didn't. Deep down, I believed that if I kept at it, that if I were willing to accept constructive comments and strive conitnually to improve and hone my craft, eventually, I'd get there. In 1997 I finaled in the Golden Heart's short contemporary series. In 1999, I won the Golden Heart for best long contemporary series. Shortly after that, I sold.

What kind of research was involved for your first book?

My very first book, which shall remain forever nameless and hopefully, forgotten, involved all kinds of research. My heroine was an interior designer and I spent weeks poring over interior design magazines and articles.

Who are your influences as a writer?

Any author who moves me as she/he tells a story influences my writing. A good story motivates me to sit down and write an equally compelling tale. There are so many great writers out there, in every genre and category. I read all kinds of romance and other fiction too. My favorite romance authors encompass historical, single title and category romances. Some of them are: Caroline Cross, Susan Andersen, Stef Ann Holm, Janice Kay Johnson, Connie Brockway, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Justine Davis, Cheryl Reavis, Susan Horton, Laura Kinsale, Suzanne Brockman, Rachel Gibson, Barbara Freethy, Loraine Heath, LaVryle Spencer. I KNOW I'm leaving some out and I apologize -- but there are just so many wonderful authors out there ... and so little time . Non-romance authors I especially like are Isabel Allende, Barbara Kingsolver, Janet Evanovich, Fannie Flagg, Judy Blume, John Steinbeck, William Styron and Gore Vidal, to name a few.

What does your family think of having a romance author in their midst?

Oh, nothing much. My husband is so proud, he tells everyone and then tells them again. Everyone he works with is eagerly awaiting my book. My mother has told all her friends and her hairdresser, dressmaker, waitresses, grocery clerks and the paper boy -- in short, everyone everywhere. My daughters are thrilled, though a bit nervous about reading my books. It's the sex thing. I told them I won't mind if they skip those parts, but something tells me they'll read 'em. My brothers and sister are beyond excited. I've got a whole cheering squad and I love it!

Tell us about plans for future books.

Right now, I'm awaiting a decision on another book. My agent has two proposals and I'm beginning yet another. I'll keep you posted.

How can readers get in touch with you?

There are three ways to get in touch with me:
Email me at aschuess@eskimo.com
Visit my webpage at http://www.specialauthors.com/meet/meet_roth.html
Or write to me at Ann Roth, PO Box 25003, Seattle, WA 98125-1903

Ann, thanks, and best of luck! Readers, we have a review of Stranger in a Small Town on our Category page.

October 15, 2000