The Prize

I do not remember learning that an author had not learned how to read herself until the age of 11. But that was the case with author, Julie Garwood. She missed so much school with having a tonsillectomy at age six, the nobody realized that she did not complete her education in reading, and was not discovered until age 11. Amazing that the same child would grow up as Julie Garwood, a very successful American author. Her Irish heritage was an important force in her growing, as well as adult years. She also contributes her success to being the sixth of seven children. She says that relatively early she discovered that to be noticed in such a large family, her self-expression had to be "forceful, imaginative, and quick"!!!

Garwood's loyal readers seem to enjoy her poignant sense of humor, just as well as her ability to steer her readers toward crying and falling in love. Her mission with each book is to transport her readers to another world, after which they will feel like they have been in a great adventure.

Through local writer's conferences, Garwood met her future agent, even though she had never intended to become a professional writer. She lives in Leawood Kansas, and is currently writing tell notes for her next novel.