Bertrice Small is a prolific American author, best known for her work in the historical, fantasy, and erotic romance genres. She has written numerous series, including the Skye O’Malley, Friarsgate Inheritance, Channel Pleasures, World of Hetar, Border Chronicles, and Silk Merchant’s Daughters series. Small’s novels have captivated readers and critics alike, earning her a spot on the New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, USA Today, and L.A. Times bestseller lists. Among her many accolades, she has won the Silver Pen from Affair de Coeur, an Honorable Mention from the West Coast Review of Books, and a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
Born as Bertrice Williams in Manhattan on December 9, 1937, Small was named after her mother’s step-father. As a young girl, she wrote her first unpublished novel at the age of 13, showcasing her early interest in storytelling. Small attended St.Mary’s, a girls’ school in Peekskill run by Anglican nuns, before enrolling in Western College for women in Ohio and later transferring to Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School. Her professional journey began in advertising agencies as a secretary, but her true calling was in writing.
Small’s husband, George Sumner Small, is a photographer and designer with a History Major at Princeton. They married on October 5, 1963, and have a son named Thomas David. Small resided on eastern Long Island for over 30 years, where she was passionate about her family, cats Finnegan and Sylvester, the elderly cockatiel Nicki, her garden, and her work. With over 50 published romance novels to her name, Small has received numerous awards, including Career Achievement for Historical Romance, Best Historical Romance, Outstanding Historical Romance Series, Career Achievement for Historical Fantasy, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times magazine. She was also named a Pioneer of Romance by ROMANTIC TIMES in 2008. Small is a member of The Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America, PAN, and PASIC, and is an active member of RWA’s Long Island chapter, L.I.R.W.
In summary, Bertrice Small is a highly accomplished author who has made significant contributions to the historical, fantasy, and erotic romance genres. Her captivating storytelling and dedication to her craft have earned her a place among the greats in the literary world. Small’s passion for writing and her commitment to her family and other interests have made her a well-rounded and inspiring figure in the industry.