Diana Mercedes Howell

Diana still has the copy of MADELINE awarded to her in the second grade. Reading Period was always her favorite part of the school day, and spelling bees, which she usually won unless Frankie Doetsch was present that day. Then they were the last two standing, and if she didn’t choke, Diana won.

Her first novel, Wishes Are Free, is strong on feel-good warmth and humor, healthy family relationships, and moments readers tell her gave them goosebumps. Joyful goosebumps, the kind you get when you experience something beautiful.

Diana always wanted to connect with people in a feel-good way. Mission accomplished.

She waited until her fifties to do something about the ideas and plots tugging at her sleeve….”Come on, pay attention to us!”

She began with poems, mini-essays, and human interest stories published in Northwest Prime Time Magazine as well as online journals.

Lacking the perseverance of Kate DiCamillo (473 rejections before Candlewick Press finally said yes to “Because of Winn Dixie”), after 35 rejections, Diana decided to self-publish. Now she has. Never give up on your dream.