Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, J. Kathleen Cheney’s parents actually were rocket scientists (they worked at White Sands Missile Range). After graduating with degrees in English and Marketing, J. Kathleen worked as a menswear buyer for retail department store chains before changing careers to become a teacher. She taught mathematics ranging from 7th Grade Arithmetic up to Calculus and served a brief stint as a Gifted and Talented Specialist. She coached the Academic Team and the Robotics Team and was the Chess Club sponsor.
In 2005 she decided to take a sabbatical from the academic world to work on writing and has since enjoyed seeing her stories published in Jim Baen’s Universe, Writers of the Future, and Fantasy Magazine, among others. J. Kathleen has twice attended the summer Writer’s Workshop at the Center for the Study of Science Fiction under the tutelage of James Gunn. She lists C. J. Cherryh, Arthur Conan Doyle, Georgette Heyer and Ansen Dibell among the writers who influenced her most.
When not writing, Ms. Cheney likes to don a mask and get sweaty fencing, both foil and saber, or put on her Wellingtons and get her hands dirty in the garden. Quieter hobbies include quilting and taking care of her husband and dog.
