Born in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, R. Lanier
Clemons spent her early years moving from one Air Force base to another. It was
her father, a career Air Force Sergeant, who instilled in her the love of books.
Bookcases in the family’s various residences were filled with volumes by James
Baldwin, Ernest Hemingway, Flannery O’Connor and others. Many times her father
would drop her off at the base library with the admonishment, “I’ll pick you up
in a few hours. Be ready to go.” She tried very hard to obey that order. While
other kids complained if they didn’t get the toy they wanted, she would be
disappointed if all she got was just one book.
In college, she majored in Journalism and received her B.A. from Howard University. That degree helped her land a job as Managing Editor of an employee newspaper for the largest telecommunications company in the Washington DC area. Several years were spent writing the “5 W’s.” However, that didn’t dampen her thirst for fiction. With the love of mysteries in the back of her mind, she decided to explore some of the reasons why people committed crimes. That led to a degree in Legal Studies at the University of Maryland.
One day, she decided to sit down and write the kind of book she wanted to read. While admiring female amateur sleuths like Kinsey Millhone and Tamara Hayle, she felt the mystery world needed someone else. The world needed a Jonelle Sweet.
While writing is one passion, horseback riding is another. Ramsey, a Connemara/Thoroughbred cross is her current obsession. As a horse owner and competitor for 30 years, she finds writing and riding very similar activities. Both require skill, perseverance and practice in order to continue to grow and excel at each craft.
R. Lanier Clemons is a member of Sisters In Crime and International Thriller Writers. She shares a home in Maryland with her gray tabby, Lucy.
In college, she majored in Journalism and received her B.A. from Howard University. That degree helped her land a job as Managing Editor of an employee newspaper for the largest telecommunications company in the Washington DC area. Several years were spent writing the “5 W’s.” However, that didn’t dampen her thirst for fiction. With the love of mysteries in the back of her mind, she decided to explore some of the reasons why people committed crimes. That led to a degree in Legal Studies at the University of Maryland.
One day, she decided to sit down and write the kind of book she wanted to read. While admiring female amateur sleuths like Kinsey Millhone and Tamara Hayle, she felt the mystery world needed someone else. The world needed a Jonelle Sweet.
While writing is one passion, horseback riding is another. Ramsey, a Connemara/Thoroughbred cross is her current obsession. As a horse owner and competitor for 30 years, she finds writing and riding very similar activities. Both require skill, perseverance and practice in order to continue to grow and excel at each craft.
R. Lanier Clemons is a member of Sisters In Crime and International Thriller Writers. She shares a home in Maryland with her gray tabby, Lucy.