Biography
Annie Laura Smith was born in Ocala, Florida, and received a B.S. in Education cum laude and a M.Ed. in Science Education from the University of Florida. She taught Chemistry, Mathematics, and Learning Skills courses at the University of Florida and the University of Texas at Dallas, and Writing for Publication, Vocabulary Development, and Efficient Reading Courses in the Community Education Program in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. She has been an instructor in Writing for Publication courses at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of the University of Alabama in Huntsville and the Institute of Children’s Literature. She taught Efficient Reading: Improving Speed and Comprehension and Getting More from Books: Intro to Literary Analysis on the website: www.jergroup.com. She was Book Review Editor for The Pen Woman, the magazine of the National League of American Pen Women, and reviews books monthly for the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD).
Her 700 publications include the areas of fiction and nonfiction for children, curriculum materials for children and adults, general interest, inspirational, and technical articles, book reviews, test materials, and poetry. She co-authored a First Grade Math Textbook for Ethiopia under a USAID grant in 2003. OnStage Publishing published her WW II historical novels, The Legacy of Bletchley Park and Will Paris Burn? in 2004, and Saving da Vinci in 2005. EDCON Publishing Group published her Reading Level 4 adaptation of The Pioneers by James Fenimore Cooper in 2005. Booklocker.com released her YA contemporary novel, Whispers in the Wind, in 2010. Cool Well Press released her fourth historical YA novel, Alexandra’s Secret in March 2012, and it has currently been republished by Booklocker.com. The Ardent Writer Press released her adult historical romance novel, Twilight of Honor, in October 2012, two Early Reader biographies, Neil Armstrong and Sally Ride in April 2013, and Wernher von Braun in April 2014. Topaz Publishing released a YA novel, First Place, Love, in August 2013.
She is a member of Trinity United Methodist Church of Huntsville, Alabama and Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society. She worked as a Senior Systems Engineer and Technical Writer/Editor in the computer industry, and edited WE ARE CALLED: the 50-Year History of Trinity United Methodist Church published in 2005.