Earlene Fowler

Infobox Writer
name = Earlene Fowler


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birthdate = Birth year and age|1954
birthplace = La Puente, California
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occupation = Novelist
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genre = Mystery
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spouse = AllenCitation|last=Banse |first=Gregg |title="Who Dunnit: Earlene Fowler" biography |url=http://www.who-dunnit.com/authors/180/ |accessdate=2008-08-22]
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awards = awd|Agatha Award|1999|Best Novel|"Mariner's Compass"Nominated for awd|Agatha Award|2006|Best Novel|"The Saddlemaker's Wife"


website = http://www.earlenefowler.com/
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Earlene Fowler is the author of a number of mystery novels set in the fictional city of San Celina, California. She was raised in La Puente, California.

Earlene has written 12 books in the "Benni Harper" series of mysteries. The sixth book, "Mariner's Compass", won the Agatha Award for Best Novel in 1999. The lead character, Benni Harper, is curator of a folk art museum and quilting figures prominently in many of the storylines. Each book in the series has been given the name of a traditional quilt block pattern. Recurring characters include Police Chief Gabe Ortiz, Benni's friend Elvia Aragon, Grandma Dove, Aunt Garnet, and cousin Emory.

San Celina is a fictionalized and slightly modified version of San Luis Obispo, California.Citation |last=Fowler |first=Earlene |title=FAQs: Why, if San Celina is based on San Luis Obispo, didn't you just name the town in your books by its real name? |url=http://www.earlenefowler.com/FAQs.html#15 |accessdate=2008-08-22] Citation |last=McDonald |first=C. |title=Earlene Fowler: An Exclusive Interview |url=http://www.modestyarbor.com/earlene_fowler.html |accessdate=2008-08-22] The books include many local landmarks and recognizable places from throughout San Luis Obispo County, although many of the names have been altered slightly. The name "San Celina" is improper Spanish (improper gender agreement between the subject and article) and was meant as a joke, but is now a decision the author regrets due to the large number of letters she receives about it.Citation |last=Fowler |first=Earlene |title=FAQs: Why is the town in your series called San Celina? Isn't that improper Spanish? Shouldn't it be Santa Celina? |url=http://www.earlenefowler.com/FAQs.html#24 |accessdate=2008-08-22]

In November, 2004 "Benni Harper's Quilt Album" was published. Co-written with Margrit Hall, this book features quilt patterns inspired by early books in the series. The book includes photographs and new stories to fill in some missing plot details from the book series.

Earlene was an short story writer for more than ten years before her first novel was published. Writing classes at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California led to the submission of her first book to a publisher. Within a week, a three-book contract was signed.

"The Saddlemaker's Wife", not a part of the "Benni Harper" series, was nominated for the 2006 Agatha Award for Best Novel. Ms. Fowler was nominated along with authors Nancy Pickard (winner), L. C. Hayden, Julia Spencer-Fleming, and Jacqueline Winspear.

Bibliography

;"Benni Harper Mysteries"
*"Fool's Puzzle" (1994) ISBN 978-0425145456
*"Irish Chain" (1995) ISBN 978-0425151372
*"Kansas Troubles" (1996) ISBN 978-0425156964
*"Goose in the Pond" (1997) ISBN 978-0425162392
*"Dove in the Window" (1998) ISBN 978-0425168943
*"Mariner's Compass" (1999) ISBN 978-0425174081
*"Seven Sisters" (2000) ISBN 978-0425179178
*"Arkansas Traveler" (2001) ISBN 978-0425184288
*"Steps to the Altar" (2002) ISBN 978-0425189443
*"Sunshine and Shadow" (2003) ISBN 978-0425195284
*"Broken Dishes" (2004) ISBN 978-0425201978
*"Delectable Mountains" (2005) ISBN 978-0425206522
*"Tumbling Blocks" (2007) ISBN 978-0425221235

;Other works
*"The Saddlemaker's Wife" (2006) ISBN 978-0425215784

External links

* [http://www.earlenefowler.com/ Official website]

References