Dara Girard
http://www.daragirard.com
Publishers: Kimani Romance, Harlequin Arabesque, Ilori Press, BET Books

Dara Girard was born many years ago in the American Midwest to a brave immigrant couple that decided to call themselves her parents. They moved around the country until they finally settled in Maryland. As a child she was always scribbling something and her family supported her efforts (with white knuckles and a lot of prayer).

After graduating from college, she worked various jobs and did some freelance writing hoping that one day her writing efforts would make her rich and famous and allow her to quit. That didn’t happen. Instead her last job was made redundant and she decided not to look for a new one. Instead she chose to live on her savings (and mild insanity) and write full time.

She would not recommend this route for other aspiring authors. Either marry well or have three years worth of salary saved. She took the risk because she wanted to and fortunately that same year she received an offer from a publisher for a two book contract. Her first book was published in 2003 and soon others followed. She is a member of Novelists Inc., Romance Writers of America, and Washington Romance Writers.