Jan DiRuzzo

Jan DiRuzzo has had a lasting passion for literature and particularly fantasy and is a graduate of the University of RI and RI College. She has taught writing and literature at both the secondary and college level and has worked as a technical writer for the Naval Department of Defense. Jan has always lived near the sea with her family and favorite horses, formerly in Newport, RI and now in Charleston, SC. While kayaking with the dolphins along Shem Creek, she became inspired by the diversity of life both on and off shore and has woven these themes together to share with young readers. Jan's first book, The Lost Mermaid: A Shem Creek Moonlight Jamboree, was selected as a 2014 Finalist in the National Indie Excellence Award competition, Children's Picture Book category for all ages. The sequel, The Lost Mermaid: Return to the Raspberry Kingdom, was the 2014 Winner in the National Indie Excellence Awards category, Children's Motivational/Inspirational Literature.