 |
Shannon DrakeAmerican writer of women's novels
Date of Birth: 15.03.1953
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Shannon Drake
Shannon Drake is an American writer of women's novels. Her works have become bestsellers not only in the United States but also in 25 countries, with a total circulation of over 75 million copies. However, not all readers realize that she is also the author of books whose covers feature other names.
Early Life and Career
Shannon Drake, born Heather Graham, is a native of Miami, Florida. She was born on March 15, 1953, and like many of her peers in the American South, she got married early, right after finishing school. Despite getting married, Heather was able to complete her education at the University of Southern Florida. She traveled the world, obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theater, and spent several years performing on stage, doing backup vocals, modeling, and even running a bar. Her creative pursuits were put on hold only when she gave birth to her third child.
During this time, Heather started writing short horror stories, which eventually led to her writing novels. After two years of independent writing, she achieved her first success with the novel "When Next We Love" in 1982. The book tells the story of a widow of a famous rock musician who tries to complete his unfinished work, and her complicated relationship with his best friend. It was published in 1983 under the pseudonym Heather Graham and was subsequently reprinted several times. This marked the beginning of Heather Pozzessere's successful writing career.
Literary Career
Heather Pozzessere, now known as Shannon Drake, has written over 150 books in various genres, including romance novels, historical sagas, thrillers, vampire stories, time travel adventures, paranormal phenomena, and beloved Christmas tales. As of 2014, she has announced the release of four new novels under the pseudonym Heather Graham, predominantly focusing on mystical themes. She is affiliated with prominent publishing houses such as Dell, Silhouette, Harlequin, and Mira. Her literary achievements include prestigious awards such as Waldenbooks, Affaire de Coeur, and Romantic Times.
Shannon Drake is a member of the Literary Guild and the Book Club, the Mystery Writers of America, the International Thriller Writers, and other literary societies. She is the Vice President of the Horror Writers Association and the founder of the Florida chapter of the Romance Writers of America. In addition to her writing career, Shannon is dedicated to philanthropy, using her artistic experience to organize annual "Vampire Balls" since 1999. These events, organized in collaboration with the magazine Romantic Times, raise funds for children in need. In recognition of her charitable work, Shannon Drake received the "Silver Bullet" award. In 2006, she organized charity seminars and theatrical performances for the victims of the New Orleans flood.
Shannon Drake is frequently featured in television shows and interviewed by reputable publications such as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today. She has a passion for travel and is an avid scuba diver. Despite her diverse interests, Shannon Drake considers her family - her husband and five children - as her greatest happiness.
Works in Russian Translation
More than 30 books by Shannon Drake have been translated into Russian under her pseudonym. The "Vampire" series, consisting of eight novels, has gained particular popularity. The medieval-themed "Graham Clan" series, which includes seven books, is highly regarded, with "Conquer the Night" receiving the highest praise. Russian publishers have also released about thirty novels signed under the name Heather Graham. Among them, the family saga "Cameron" stands out, delving into the theme of the American Civil War, reminiscent of the beloved "Gone with the Wind." This series consists of two trilogies: "North American Women" and "Civil War." The first two books of the mystical detective trilogy "The Flynn Brothers" have also received numerous positive reviews.
