About Valerie Wilson Wesley
Valerie Wilson Wesley (born November 22, 1947) is an American author of mysteries, adult-theme novels, and children's books, and a former executive editor of Essence magazine. She is the author of the Tamara Hayle mystery series. Her writings, both fiction and non-fiction, have also appeared in numerous publications, including Essence, Family Circle, TV Guide, Ms., The New York Times, and the Swiss weekly magazine Die Weltwoche. == Background == Wesley grew up in Ashford, Connecticut. She is African-American. She graduated from Howard University and earned master's degrees from the Bank Street College of Education and the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. A former resident of East Orange, New Jersey, she now lives in Montclair, New Jersey, with her two daughters and playwright husband Richard Wesley. == Published books == Afro-Bets Book of Black Heroes from A to Z: An introduction to important Black achievers for young readers, with Wade Hudson (1988, Orange, New Jersey: Just Us Books, ISBN 0-940975-02-5) When Death Comes Stealing, a Tamara Hayle mystery (1994, New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, ISBN 0-399-13949-4) Devil's Gonna Get Him, a Tamara Hayle mystery (1996, New York: Avon Books, ISBN 0-380-72492-8) Where Evil Sleeps, a Tamara Hayle mystery (1996, New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, ISBN 0-399-14145-6) Freedom's Gifts: A Juneteenth story, illustrated by Sharon Wilson (1997, New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, ISBN 0-689-80269-2) No Hiding Place, a Tamara Hayle mystery (1997, New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, ISBN 0-399-14318-1) Easier to Kill, a Tamara Hayle mystery (1998, New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, ISBN 0-399-14445-5) Ain't Nobody's Business if I Do (1999, New York: Avon Books, ISBN 0-380-97703-6) The Devil Riding, a Tamara Hayle mystery (2000, New York: Putnam, ISBN 0-399-14617-2) Always True to You in My Fashion (2002, New York: William Morrow, ISBN 0-06-018883-9) How to Lose Your Class Pet, illustrated by Maryn Roos (2003, New York: Jump at the Sun, ISBN 0-7868-1322-9) Dying in the Dark: A Tamara Hayle mystery (2004, New York: One World Ballantine Books, ISBN 0-345-46806-6) How to Fish for Trouble, illustrated by Maryn Roos (2004, New York: Jump at the Sun, ISBN 0-7868-1807-7) How to Lose Your Cookie Money, illustrated by Maryn Roos (2004, New York: Jump at the Sun, ISBN 0-7868-5146-5) 23 Ways to Mess up Valentine's Day (2005, New York: Jump at the Sun, ISBN 0-7868-5524-X) How to (almost) Ruin Your School Play, illustrated by Maryn Roos (2005, New York: Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, ISBN 1-4155-7357-3) Playing My Mother's Blues (2005, New York: William Morrow, ISBN 0-06-018882-0) == Awards and honors == 1993 – Griot Award from the New York Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists 1995 – Nominee for Shamus Award for Best First P.I. Novel (When Death Comes Stealing) 2000 – Excellence in Adult Fiction award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association == References == "Biography', Valerie Wilson Wesly web site (Retrieved October 23, 2006) Brizak, Rosemarie Louise, Tiesha Renee Cooper, Rachel Elizabeth Feller, and Wanda Michelle Raynes. "Valerie Wilson Wesley", VG: Voices from the Gaps, University of Minnesota, December 5, 2004 (Retrieved October 22, 2006). "Valerie Wilson Wesley" on the dust jacket of Ain't Nobody's Business if I Do, New York: William Morrow, 1999.
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