About Curtiss Ann

The Official Bio

Curtiss Ann Matlock is an American writer of 36 novels, among them the beloved Valentine series of books set in the fictitious town of the same name. She has written contemporary and historical fiction for Silhouette Books, Harlequin Historical, Avon, and Mira Books. Her novels have placed on the USA TODAY best seller lists and received numerous awards, among them The University of Oklahoma Professional Writing Award, two National Readers’ Choice Awards, and three nominations for the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® Award. Her books are published world-wide in twenty languages. Told with a strong Southern voice, her warm and insightful stories portray the human comedy and uncommon valor of everyday people striving to deal with heartbreak, to live with faith, and to love well.

Born in North Carolina into a military family, Curtiss Ann traveled widely until she and her husband settled in rural Oklahoma, where they raised their son and a few horses, the church was just up the road, and everyone managed to know everyone and help out when necessary.

Curtiss Ann currently resides in south Alabama, where she is busy with family, writing, gardening, and RVing.

“Matlock writes about generous people striving to live and love well. She does it beautifully.“
~ Contra Costa Times

“Matlock has a gift for telling what she calls ‘the secret lives of ordinary people.’”
~The Detroit Free Press

Becoming a Writer

My earliest memories are of my mother reading stories to me, and me pleading, “One more, Mama.” In this manner, my mother taught me to read well before I started school. My mother was an avid patron of the library and took me with her. I remember trailing out of the library behind my mother, my skinny little arms carrying all the books they could hold.

In childhood I dreamed of being a writer, or a cowgirl, or Nancy Drew. I entertained myself for hours making up stories in my head. Sometimes they made their sketchy way to paper. When I look back now, I am gratified to see that I became a writer and a bit of a cowgirl, and I became the heroine of each of my stories.

More serious writing began when my son started kindergarten. The first piece I dared to submit for publication was a tiny essay about my son and his friend that was accepted by a national Baptist publication and back in the mail came a check for $15. I went whooping from the mailbox, waving the check, and quickly wrote another essay about the comfort of our wood fireplace, submitting it to a country magazine. When I received a check in the mail for $50, I said, “I’m going to write a novel.”

While writing that first novel, which took me the better part of a year, I found my way to the Oklahoma University Professional Writing program where I studied under the wonderful authors Carolyn Hart and Jack Bickham. I finished that first novel and Carolyn Hart graciously critiqued it. I still remember her laying her hand on the thick manuscript and saying, “This is a publishable novel.” So I boxed it up and sent it to a publisher. It would be yet another year, but the first novel I ever wrote, A Time and A Season, was accepted and published by Silhouette Books. I went on to sell each novel that I wrote, to my thorough amazement.

All my life I have been given refuge, pleasure, and encouragement from fiction, and my aim in writing my books has been to pass the same on to my readers. It is my hope that upon reaching the last page of one of my novels, the reader feels more hopeful about herself and her life. I know that in at least in a few instances, I have achieved this aim, as readers have written to tell me so. All praise goes to God, Who guided me even when I was filled with doubt and unbelief. He is “from Whom comes every good and perfect gift” and nothing stops His plans.

God instilled in me the love of the written word and stories and made me a writer, and he sent many kind and wonderful people to help me along the way. Thus I am still writing, if a lot slower. I generally write a few hours every morning, both saving my sanity and giving myself delight, and honoring the gift God has given me.

Today I live in a small community in southern Alabama, sharing my home with my faithful red-heeler, Faith. My son and grandchildren live up the road and I see them often. My stories and essays still come from the heartbreak and heroism and faith of amazing life all around me.

28 thoughts on “About Curtiss Ann”

  1. I am trying to learn if you are still writing! I certainly hope so. Surely if you are in good health you will still do some writing. If you have written another series, I would like to know the name of it. I also would like to find the order of the Valentine series of books. I have the last one and one other. Want to read all of them.

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    • Hello, MaryEtta. I have not had a totally new release since 2009. I am currently working to edit and re-release old books into ebook and print. I have an updated version of Love in a Small Town available in paper and ebook. You can get either from Amazon of Barnes and Noble. Barnes and Noble store, if you have one nearby, can order it. Love in a Small Town was technically the first of the Valentine Series.

      Thank you for stopping by my site. I’m grateful to hear you enjoy my stories.

      CurtissAnn

      Curtiss Ann Matlock website/blog

      Love in a Small Town Mary in Color

      >

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    • Hi, Monkeyfacekim. I’m extremely honored to be nominated for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. I need encouragement, so I make it my aim to encourage others. However, I’ve also made it a rule as a blogger not to take part in mimes. I simply don’t have time and continue to write. Keep writing!

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    • Hi, back at you! I have a rather good friend over in your neck of the woods. Like your blog, in good company sharing a liking for Bradbury. As for tips, listen to your own instincts, always. Oh, and get Bradbury, Zen in the Art of Writing.

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  6. just discovered your book “Miracle on I 40” and now am on a quest for more of your great writting. As a native Okla. and retired newspaper columnists, your style is so welcome in todays sex and violence. As an avid contributor to our public library system, i will seek your books and if they arent in stock, I can order them from a larger library. Oh, i found your book in the library of our senior citizen park.

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  7. I’m so pleased you found my blog and decided to follow it, because that has led me to yours. A blog is such a great way for people to connect, but it is also a great tool for writers, giving us the immediate feedback that nurtures our Muse. I’m a newbie at writing novels, so have much t learn. Thank you for the opportunity to include you in my journey.

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  10. Disease has a way of focusing you like nothing else. I’ve been through that fire, too, and although I sometimes wish it had been different, I know inside that it is making me who I was meant to be. God bless, and continued good luck.

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    • I have come to believe that everything happens for a reason, and it doesn’t matter if I know the reason or not, and I don’t have to be happy about any of it, either. I will do best to accept, and make the best, and there are always gifts, in the moment, in the next moment and the next. I have been extremely fortunate in my life. I give thanks for all. God bless and keep you.

      CurtissAnn

      http://www.curtissannmatlock.com https://twitter.com/curtissann “One writes to make a home for oneself, on paper, in time, in others’ minds.” ~Alfred Kazin

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  11. I am just now revisiting my love of writing. When I was a middle school girl I would stories under the no de plume of Jasmine Louis. Through her I felt my voice could be heard. After many years of, well let’s just say: Life; I have come back to her and she and I are now becoming one voice, it is an exciting porcess

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  12. Although I have read it twice before, I picked up the first book of the Valentine series again this afternoon and want you to know I settled right down and loved those people all over again! By tomorrow I’ll probably be ready to begin the second one…again. The Valentine series is going down in my personal “Happiness Book” as the #938th entry. Thank you so much Curtiss Ann

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    • Linda– Your kindness in telling me your love for the Valentine books brings tears to my eyes! And a boost as I work on a new series project. Actually, the writing of a new book is not work, but carving out the time from my grandmother life is the challenge! I am so very honored to be listed in your Happiness Book– more encouragement to keep my own going.

      Blessings, CurtissAnn

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  13. I was introduced to the discipline of a daily gratitude list and journaling. This discipline proved to shine a powerful light of hope and faith into my life. It has helped me to know who I am, to remember the truths I already know, to navigate the sometimes bumpy journey. … On those days when I’ve felt as if I could fly, the discipline has grounded me and given my high spirit direction.
    These, your words inspire me and I share the common bond from those two disciplines. I will look up a book or two of yours. I am in your community of writers. In my “about” section, I have not disclosed my published works…my blog wants to express the all the exclamation points writing, and the teaching of it, has put in my life.

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  14. Just found you tonight and can not wait to read one of your books.
    I started a book a few years ago before my husband left me and enjoyed writing on it so much but was devastated with him leaving and only wrote one chapter after that and it was a murder scene…lol
    Would love to find my muse again
    Thanks
    Maggie

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  15. Opening one of your books is like coming home. Every word is a special treat and the whole of it must be savored. Your blog is like sunshine on my face after the longest winter. Recently I read about your grand mother being called Honey and got goose bumps. My grandmother is also called Honey (Noney to the younger ones) for the exact same reason. Her name is Vivian and at 88 she is more active than most much younger people. One of the great things about the Valentine series is that the books all portray older people realistically. Please keep them coming and keep up the good work. Many blessing to you and those in your Universe.

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  16. I LOVE YOUR BOOKS ESPECAILLY THE
    VALENTINE SERIES. I FELT LIKE THEY
    WERE MY NEIGHBORS. I HATE TO SEE
    THEIR STORIES END. THANK YOU SO
    MUCH FOR GIVING ME SO MANY HOURS
    OF WONDERFUL READING.

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  17. Dear Curtiss Ann, I am grateful for my love of reading and for your books which I have enjoyed very much. I am also enjoying your blog and the deer picture. Wow! Good luck on the next Valentine book. I have been wondering about the folks there. Hope you are doing well, and good luck on that house. Jane Burney

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