Yolanda Joe is the author of four acclaimed novels, including the Essence bestsellers This Just In, Bebe’s By Golly Wow, and He Say, She Say. A graduate of Yale and of the Columbia School of Journalism and a former news producer, she lives in Chicago.

Contact Yolanda at yolandajoe416@aol.com

A word from Yolanda...

I was born in Chicago on March 13th. What year? Well, I'm really not trying to tell my age. But since quiz shows have become all the rage, I'll give you a hint. The year I was born my favorite singer, Patti Labelle, had a hit called "I sold my heart to the Junk Man."

By the time Patti's hit fell off the charts, my mother and father had separated. I was raised by my maternal grandparents in a working class neighborhood on the south side.

My grandmother, Bernice Barnett, was as settled in her ways as sugar in the bottom of a glass of ice tea. A Louisiana lady, she had southern values that she passed on to me and my older sister Donna.

I always wanted to be a writer. I was writing poetry at age seven-- it wasn't great poetry but praise from my family, my public school teachers, and church members made me believe that I could do anything if I tried.

If there are any children in your life, praise them and push them to follow their dream-- it will make all the difference in the world.

I attended an all black public high school before winning several academic scholarships to attend Yale. From the windy city by the lake to the swish ivy leagues of the east. Think I had some adjusting to do? Yeah. But I loved it.

In my junior year, I told my elderly cousin that I was going to summer school. She asked where and I told her Oxford. She said, "It's hot in Mississippi."

I laughed so hard that it took a couple of minutes before I could say, "No cuz-- Oxford, England."

I got my masters of science degree form the Columbia School of Journalism in New York. Afterwards I realized, like Diva Di in "The Wiz", that there's no place like home.

I returned to Chicago and began working in news radio for CBS. I switched to television news and worked as a writer/producer for a decade before beginning a full time writing career.

Prayer and hard work pay off.

I have four b estselling novels, Falling Leaves of Ivy, He Say, She Say, Bebe's By Golly Wow, and This Just In. My newest novel is The Hatwearer's Lesson. It will be on-sale Monday, March 10.

Also, I'm doing a little double dipping in addition to double clicking. I'm launching a mystery series under the pen name, Ardella Garland. Ardella is my great grandmother's name. I was feeling the spirit y'all. My mystery novels are Details at Ten and Hit Time.

So, clear a shelf off in your bookcase. That shelf belongs to me-- I'm planning to create a fabulous body of work. Please keep me in your prayers. Thank you for all your support and God Bless.

Author photograph by Powell Photography, Inc.

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