Francis Ray

Francis Ray (July 20, 1944 – July 3, 2013) was a New York Times and USA Today bestselling[1] African-American writer of romance novels. Her literary fiction series – Taggart and Falcon, the Invincible Women, Grayson Family of New Mexico, and Grayson Friends – consistently made bestseller's lists. She lived in Dallas, Texas.[2]

Biography

She was born in Richland, Texas, and studied nursing, receiving a bachelor's degree from Texas Woman's University in 1967.[3] She began writing in 1987, while continuing to work as a nurse, and had her first book published in 1992.[3] Ray was inspired to write after reading one of Kathleen Woodiwiss's books.[4]

In 1995, she co-founded the Romance Slam Jam, which was an author-reader conference and first launched in Texas.[5]

Work

Ray's stories are character-driven and Ray spent time fleshing out full stories for the characters in her books, including their childhoods.[4] She feels that writing romance is often more emotionally difficult than for other genres because while the characters must have conflict, the resolution needs to be solved in a way that readers know "that the couple will stay together no matter what".[6] It was also important to her to include "accurate realistic portrayals of African Americans" rather than stereotypes.[4]

In 1999, Ray's novel, Incognito, was adapted by Black Entertainment Television (BET) for broadcast.[4]

She helped make the Arabesque imprint, which was owned by BET and dedicated to African-American romance, a success.[1] In 2004, she and other authors were celebrated for their contributions to Arabesque which is now owned by Kimani.[7]

Fiction

Series/Related Titles Grayson Friends Series

Invincible Women Series

Taggart/Falcon Series

The Graysons of New Mexico Series

Against the Odds Series

Family Affair/Hidden Legacy Series

Awards

Screen adaptations

References

  1. 1 2 Monkou, Michelle (8 July 2013). "HEA and Michelle Monkou Pay Tribute to Francis Ray, Gone Too Soon". Happy Ever After (USA Today). Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  2. "Nationally Bestselling Author Francis Ray is a Native Texas Who Lives in Dallas With Her Family". Baker & Taylor Author Biographies. Literary Reference Center. 2000. Retrieved 18 December 2015. (subscription required (help)).
  3. 1 2 Simnacher, Joe (10 July 2013). "Francis Ray, Dallas school nurse who became prolific romance novel writer, dies at 68". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Webb, Shawncey (1 January 2007). "Francis Ray". Guide to Literary Masters & Their Works. Literary Reference Center. Retrieved 18 December 2015. (subscription required (help)).
  5. McBride, Marybel (28 August 2013). "Tribute to Francis Ray's Life and Work at Next Romance Slam Jam". Nursing Standard 27 (52): 31. Retrieved 18 December 2015. (subscription required (help)).
  6. Landgraf, Greg (22 January 2012). "PopTop Stage Hosts a Day of Romance". American Libraries. American Library Association. Archived from the original on 7 January 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  7. Rosen, Judith (24 May 2004). "Arabesque Sets Events to Mark 10th Anniversary". Publishers Weekly 251 (21). Archived from the original on 1 October 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2015.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, April 12, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.