Linda O. Johnston

Linda O. Johnston is an American author of mystery and romance novels.

Johnston's first published fiction appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and won the Robert L. Fish Memorial Award for Best First Mystery Short Story of the Year. Since then, she has had several more short stories published as well as numerous romance novels.

Johnston is a practicing attorney who splits her time between legal work and writing fiction. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1970 with an undergraduate degree in journalism with an advertising emphasis. Before obtaining her Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law, she ran a small newspaper and then worked in advertising and public relations.

Johnston has taught a course on romance writing at the California State University, Northridge College of Extended Learning and has been chosen to teach at The Learning Annex in Los Angeles, California. She has spoken on romance writing at various chapters and conferences of the Romance Writers of America, the Independent Writers of Southern California, and the Surrey Writers’ Conference. She has additionally presented a variety of programs at libraries and bookstores.

Johnston is a member of the Los Angeles chapters of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime and is actively involved with Romance Writers of America, participating in the Los Angeles, Orange County, and Kiss of Death (romantic suspense) chapters.

Johnston lives near Universal Studios in Hollywood, California along with her husband and two Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs. She has two adult sons.