Joyce K. Ellis

Joyce K. (Krohne) Ellis popped into this world in St. Louis, MO—born into a family with a strong faith and great humor. "I loved the laughter at home and at family gatherings," she says, "where uncles tried to outdo each other with jokes and puns." When her family moved to Minnesota, relatives quipped, "The only reason there are people in Minnesota is that people move there, their brains freeze, and they don't have the sense to move back." No wonder faith and humor have permeated Joyce’s writing career. She has published hundreds of magazine articles and stories and 20 books, including The 500 Hats of a Modern-Day Woman, earning numerous awards, including a Gold Medallion Award for The One-Minute Bible for Kids. Her quirky sense of humor also helps her teaching stick with writing-class attendees. Referring to Joyce's book Write with Excellence 201, one conferee said, "Only you could write a grammar book that's a great 'beach read.'" Joyce married Steve Ellis in 1969, and they have three grown children and seven amazing grandchildren. Living in Minneapolis, the couple loves travel and sitting by a lake, river, or ocean--reading. Joyce also enjoys music, needlework, and mission trips.