Joann Howeth

Joann has been writing since her early teens, but despite lots of encouragement from teachers along the way, she didn't major in journalism when she got to college. Instead, she majored in English Literature. Expecting to become a high school teacher, she was dismayed when her less-than-successful student teaching experience forced her to realize that she couldn't relate to children taller than four feet. When a scarcity of teaching jobs following graduation forced her into a complete change of directions, she found employment in the jewelry industry where she spent many creative years as a gemologist, designer, & goldsmith.

Her passion for creative writing was never muted, however, and in recent years Joann has picked up her pen again, now writing children's books for the youngest & shortest of readers. She is a member of the SCBWI and the winner of a handful of awards including the 2026 Women Writing the West WILLA Literary Award for Children's Fiction, a 2025 Silver Medal from the MOONBEAM CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARDS, and First Place in the Writer's Digest 32nd Annual Self-Published Book Awards/Early Readers & Children's Picture Books category in 2023.

Joann makes Montana her home where she & her husband raised two daughters.