THE OFFICIAL BIO OF MAYA RODALE, ROMANCE AUTHOR

Maya Rodale began reading romance novels in college at her mother’s insistence. She is now the author of numerous “dazzlingly sexy and witty” historical romance novels. A champion of the romance genre and it’s readers, she is also the author of the non-fiction book Dangerous Books For Girls: The Bad Reputation Of Romance Novels, Explained and a co-founder of Lady Jane’s Salon, a national reading series devoted to romantic fiction. Maya lives in New York City with her darling dog and a rogue of her own.

 

THE LIFE HISTORY OF MAYA

Once upon a time: I was born. There was rejoicing across the land. The occasion is marked by parades and the declaration of a national holiday. (Very well, not quite yet).

Age 6: Writing career commences with original song lyrics inspired by Bon Jovi.  My mother assures me the lyrics were rock n’ roll perfect and definitely inappropriate. And so it begins.

Age 7: Founded my first business, Odd Jobs, which provided cleaning services and holiday gift-wrapping for a market that consisted of my parents. Today, I excel at cleaning (I am like Monica on Friends, but worse). I am wretched at gift wrapping.

Rock and roll days…
Rock and roll days…

Age 12: I learned to play the guitar. Rock n’ roll aspirations ensue, which involved ripped jeans, Doc Marten’s, flannel shirts and purple hair and repeating three chord progressions ENDLESSLY. Mom, Dad, Neighbors: I’m sorry.

High school: I survived. That is all that is notable about this time.

Age 18: Almost went to college at St. Andrews University in Scotland where I would have been in the same class as Prince William. In other words, I was almost the future Queen Of England. ALAS.

 Age 19: I move to New York City to attend New York University. I studied writing, English literature and Women’s Issues. Mother insisted I read romance novels for “research.”

Age 20-ish: Musical aspirations flounder as the desire to stay up late, deal with male musicians and hang out in loud dark places wanes. I become A Writer instead as this involves sitting quietly by myself. Je love!

Age 23-ish: Publish my first book! It’s My Pleasure was co-written with my mother. Also, Penelope arrives!
She is named after my favorite Julia Quinn heroine, Penelope Featherington from Romancing Mister Bridgerton–or Penelope of Homer’s Odyssey. Depends who is asking. During our first year together, I discover that puppies are evil demon spawn, kept alive only because of their adorable fluffiness.

Mid 20’s Malaise: I apply for Graduate School and submit my first romance novel for publication. For six months I receive a rejection letter each week. See also: the dark ages.

Puppy! Adorbs!
Puppy! Adorbs!

Mid 20’s, Improved: In a two week period, NYU accepted me to their graduate program AND I sold my first two romance novels to Berkley books! I was extremely glad I had taught Penelope how to high-five.

2007: The Heir And The Spare, my debut novel, is published! New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James says it’s a “dazzlingly sexy and witty” debut. Penelope and I happily settle into domesticity.

2008: The Rogue & The Rival is published! I wrote this one while attending graduate school at NYU. Penelope is wary of a new member of our pack, but soon trains him to rub her belly every morning. I train him to put his dirty laundry in the hamper. SUCCESS!

2009: Scheming, plotting and real life romance. Oh, and the EPIC research for my master’s thesis on the lack of respect for the romance genre, which became Dangerous Books For Girls: The Bad Reputation Of Romance Novels Explained. I also co-founded Lady Jane’s Salon with Hope Tarr, Leanna Renee Hieber and Ron Hogan.

 2010: A Groom Of One’s Own is published! This is the first book in my Writing Girls series. Funnily enough, this is also the year that I truly had a groom of my own. In other words, I got married. There was more rejoicing across the land. Happiness Ensued.

Wedding day with a groom of my own.
Wedding day with a groom of my own.

2011: A Tale Of Two Lovers is published!  Publisher’s Weekly  describes the novel as “a sexy, historical romp” and gives me a starred review!

February, 2012: The Tattooed Duke is published, quite possibly becoming the first historical romance novel cover to feature a man with tattoos.

September, 2012: Three Schemes and a Scandal is published. Reviewers rave about it’s sweetness and humor. My dog Penelope is immortalized as the heroine’s naughty pet fox. Giving her high profile, she joins twitter as  @ladymisspenny.

November, 2012: The Writing Girl series concludes with  Seducing Mr. Knightly, which RT Bookreviews declared  a TOP PICK! Major career milestone achieved! 

FACTS AT A GLANCE

  • BA & MA from New York University focusing on women’s literature, particularly romance novels. This research formed the basis of Dangerous Book’s For Girls: The Bad Reputation of Romance Novels, Explained.
  • Author of multiple historical romance novels for Avon/HarperCollins and Berkley Publishing Group.
  • My books have been published in Japanese, Spanish, German, Portuguese and Russian.
  • Co-wrote self-help book, It’s My Pleasure, with my mother, Maria Rodale, CEO of the family business, Rodale Inc.
  • Am particularly interested in how romance novels inspire and empower women and girls around the world.
  • Co-founder of Lady Jane’s Salon, a national reading series devoted to romantic fiction.
  • Lives  in New York City.

 

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Headshot is by Paul Brissman. Wedding photo by Stephanie Albanese.