Dawn's intense hatred for mathematics began in sixth grade, when she would write stories during math
class and pass them around the room. This is probably why she still cannot balance a checkbook or
figure a 25 percent tip.
Originally from Weaverville, a small town nestled in the mountains near Asheville, NC, Dawn wrote her
first story when she was five and her first poem was published when she was in 8th grade. In 1986, the
publication of her short story "Dreaming into Action" in Prism, a magazine for young authors, led to an
appearance on "CBS Morning News, " where she was interviewed by Faith Daniels along with Prism
publisher Sheri Freidlander.
Her first novel, Saint Jude (Tudor Publishers) chronicles the journey of a young woman who is
struggling with bipolar disorder. The novel received several positive reviews, including good reviews
from Booklist and The School Library Journal. (More information is found under the Book link). Her
second novel, Leaving the Comfort Cafe (The Wild Rose Press) tells the story of a redneck waitress
who got a perfect score on the SAT, had a full scholarship to Cornell, but never went. It is available in
print and electronic format from the publisher at www.thewildrosepress.com, or it may be special
ordered from any major bookseller---the novel is listed with book distributor Baker and Taylor.
The world premiere of her play, Jesu of Fondue was presented in April 2006 at the Nash County Arts
Council.
Dawn earned her bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
where she studied creative writing under authors Doris Betts and Bland Simpson. Her short story,
"Satan in the Shower," was presented as a one-act play as a part of the university's Student Writer's
Showcase.
After graduation, she worked at several weekly, tri-weekly and daily newspapers in North Carolina,
and is currently a public relations writer living near Raleigh, NC. Her articles have appeared in such
magazines as: Writer's Digest, Builder/Architect, Sunshine, Evangel, Lutheran Journal and Event.
She won second place in the "Love Poetry" division of the NC Poetry Society's annual poetry
competition and read her poem at the awards ceremony at the Weymouth Center for the Arts and
Humanities in Southern Pines, NC. Her poem is titled, "Learning English in Four-Letter Words." To
read the poem, check under "dawnlinks" on the main menu page.
In December 2007, she earned her master's degree in English with a concentration in creative writing
from East Carolina University.
Currently, she is a public relations writer living near Raleigh, North Carolina.
She welcomes the opportunity to speak at schools, civic groups, or book clubs. For more information,
she may be reached via e-mail at dawn@dawnwilson.net. She also frequently participates in online
loop chats arranged by her publisher.
Dawn also will be conducting writing seminars and she offers manuscript evaluation and editing
services. Please contact her at dawn@dawnwilson.net for information.
To read excerpts from her novels, return to the main book page and click on books.
