Annie Acorn is an award-winning, internationally beloved, multi-genre author of two romantic women’s fiction/family saga series, cozy mysteries, and richly woven Christmas stories with a warm southern flair. In addition, she has authored a number of nonfiction books, covering a variety of topics.
She is famously known for always having a pitcher of Starbucks Mocha Espresso and a bowl of Lindt Milk Chocolate Truffles within easy reach as she writes.
Asked when she first became interested in writing, she usually jokes that, while some people are born with silver spoons in their mouths, she was born with a pen in her right hand.
An avid reader and scribbler all her life, Annie first decided to try serious fiction writing, when she switched from reading Golden Age mysteries to more modern ones.
All too often she found herself identifying the murderer, the motive, and why no other character could have done the murder at about the halfway point in the book. Unsatisfied, she opened a spiral notebook and began to write.
Along the way, she honed her skills, as her words found their way into The Inspirational Writer and she edited an in-house publication for the State of Mississippi.
Finally, Annie’s first, full-length, cozy mystery was finished, and she entered it into St. Martin Press’s Malice Domestic Contest, where she was one of twelve finalists on her first try.
An agent soon expressed an interest in representing her work, only to prove a disappointment when the manuscript was returned to her, because the agent decided to pivot and only handle erotic fiction.
Marketing departments at two publishers stated the book would never sell, unless the amateur, female sleuth was in her mid-twenties.
The year was now 2011, and the U.S. publishing industry was undergoing major changes, as ereaders were launched. Two other books were now keeping her mystery company in the wings.
Creating an author website with the help of a designer, the business owner in Annie realized there were up and coming indie authors, who would be handicapped in their endeavors by the technical knowledge needed to self-publish. Thus, Annie Acorn Publishing LLC was born in an effort to provide assistance to these eager writers.
Still planning to traditionally publish her own mystery, it was a full year before she made the decision to let AAPub launch her first novel. Renamed Chocolate Can Kill, she announced the book’s release to 1200 Twitter followers and 500 Facebook friends on February 11, 2012.
In a matter of weeks, Chocolate Can Kill reached #1 in its genre on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble’s websites, proving that her first novel was indeed marketable.
Since then, she has authored two successful romantic women’s fiction/family saga series – Luna Lake Cabins stories and Captain’s Point Stories – more cozy mysteries, many Christmas offerings, and a variety of nonfiction books.
After moving to the D.C. area, she did extensive technical writing for AHRQ, NIH, and SAMHSA as a contractor.
While still living in the Deep South, she owned a tri-state medical outsourcing business for a number of years and was the Director of a behavioral healthcare firm. She once flipped a comic book and collectible retail company comprised of five stores, and she managed cemeteries and funeral homes.
Annie is the mother of two sons, one of whom is married to the best daughter-in-law in the world. She is the grandmother of twin girls. She will spend hours showing you cute pictures of the latter, if you ask her to.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, knitting and crocheting afghans for charity, listening to classical music, playing cards, and spending time with family and friends – usually at a restaurant serving delicious food.
She is the author of the blog and expanded writing tips found at annieacornauthor.com.
You can friend her on Facebook at her Annie Acorn Author page and tweet her at X/Twitter at @Annie_Acorn.
She will respond to your email sent to annieacorn11@gmail.com.
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