Iona Whishaw is a successful Canadian author, best known for her historical mystery novel series, Lane Winslow. She was born in British Columbia in 1948, but spent her childhood in various locations due to her father's job as a geologist. Whishaw has a Master's degree in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia.
Before becoming an author, Whishaw worked as a youth worker, social worker, teacher, and high school principal. During her time as a principal, she received an award for her outstanding work. Whishaw's writing career began long before she became a published author, as she wrote short stories, poetry, and poetry translation throughout her working life. She also wrote a children's book titled "Henry and the Cow Problem."
Whishaw's parents served as spies during the World Wars. She earned degrees in education and history from Antioch College and further degrees in writing and pedagogy from UBC and Simon Fraser University. Whishaw's career as a principal in Vancouver was marked by several awards, including the Woman of Distinction in Education by the YWCA in 2010 and a Canada's Outstanding Principals award in 2012.
Whishaw's writing output took a brief back seat during her teaching career, but she shared her passion for writing with her students in English, Creative Writing, and Spanish classes. Her hobbies include dance, painting, reading, and gardening. Currently, she is a vocalist for a small Balkan dance band in Vancouver and is eagerly waiting to engage in her latest hobby, long-distance, cross-country rambling in England. Whishaw is married, has one son and two grandsons, and lives in Vancouver with her artist husband, Terry Miller.