Noted as having “a native talent for imaginative storytelling that her readers find unfailingly enjoyable,” (Midwest Book Review), and “skilled at crafting a nuanced page turner,” (The Kirkus Review), Terri-Lynne Smiles creates novels filled with realistic characters, a quick pace, and a bit of a puzzle for the reader and characters to chew on. Her first three novels, Foreseen, Choices, and Origins met with acclaim from professional reviews and readers alike, as entertaining reads that explore the lure and misuse of power in a contemporary world in which “adepts” can change the decisions of those around them. The final book in her Rothston Series, Common Ground, will be released in early 2016, with an unrelated murder mystery slated for release later that year.
Prior to becoming a full-time author, Terri-Lynne’s analytic skills were put to work as a health care attorney, where she was recognized as a Best Lawyer in America, an Ohio Super Lawyer, and one of the Top 25 Female Attorneys in Ohio. With the release her debut novel, Foreseen, to rave reviews in Summer 2012, Terri-Lynne left her law practice behind to devote more time to her writing and meeting readers and fans.
When not writing or making appearances, she and her husband spend their time drinking wine and laughing at life’s little quirks. She is also committed to the charitable sector, including serving as board chair for the Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations as well as volunteering with numerous community organizations.
EDUCATION
University of Michigan School of Law, Juris Doctorate; Senior Judge, Writing and Advocacy Program
Denison University, Bachelor of Arts with High Honors; Concentration: Philosophy, Economics; Honors: Phi Beta Kappa, Mortar Board Honorary Society, Philosophy Department Fellow, Omicron Delta Epsilon Economics Honorary
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
The Thurber House; taught a workshop on Crafting Villains and Heroes to writers. October 12, 2015.
Upper Arlington Public Library; taught a workshop on novel plotting. June 19, 2015.
Imaginarium; conducted workshop on the difference between Plot and Story and basic plot structures as well as serving on panels on cross-genre writing, unconventional fantasy and research. September 19, 2014.
Ohioana Book Festival; Panelist on modern paranormal, fantasy and science fiction. May 10, 2014.
Bublish.com; Twitter chat interview about Foreseen and the newly released Choices. #Bublish November 14, 2013.
Trillium Place; Author appearance and discussion of writing tips and novel structure. October 12, 2013
VoiceCorps; Guest appearance on Monthly Book Talk with Jan Blatz and Kate Sniderman; 11 a.m. to noon, June 12, 2013
Ohioana Library Association; “Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense,” 2013 Annual Book Fair; Columbus, OH, May 11, 2013
American Health Lawyers Association; “Good Physician Gone Bad: What to Do?” Joint Hospital & Hospital Systems and Physicians & Physician Organizations Seminar with Priya Bathija, J.D.; Phoenix, AZ; February 1, 2009
Office of the Ohio Attorney General; “Through the Looking Glass: Administrative Hearings from the Defense Perspective;” Administrative Law Conference; Columbus, OH; December 13, 2007
American Health Lawyers Association; “Credentialing Nightmares,” Physicians & Physician Organizations Seminar with Almeta Cooper, J.D.; Las Vegas, NV; February 5-6,2007
Nonprofit Resource Center; “Conflicts of Interest;” Ethics and Conflict of Interest Workshop; Toledo, OH; August 23, 2005
Ohio State Bar Association CLE Institute; “Personal Privacy in the Nonprofit Sector;” Representing Nonprofits Seminar; Columbus, OH; October 22,2003
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; “Performance Practices of Successful Orthopaedic Groups;” Rosemont, IL, June 3-4, 2000; Cost Mesa, CA, September 16-17, 2000; Dallas, TX, October 21-22, 2000
CREDENTIALS & AWARDS
Amazon Bestseller: College-Age Fantasy; Origins, 3 weeks.
Amazon Bestseller: College-Age Fantasy, Choices, 10 weeks.
Amazon Bestseller: College-Age Fantasy. Foreseen, 6 weeks.
Bar Admissions: Ohio, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
Certification; Ohio State Bar Association Certified Specialist in Administrative Law 2009-2012
Best Lawyers® in America; Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.
Ohio Super Lawyer; Thomson Reuters
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Ohio; Cleveland Magazine, Cincinnati Magazine, Columbus Monthly
Top 25 Women Lawyers in Columbus; Cleveland Magazine, Cincinnati Magazine, Columbus Monthly
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations; Board of Directors (Chair, 2004 – 2006; 2013 – current), Standards for Excellence Advisory Committee
Ohio Center for Law-Related Education; Volunteer