From designing military flight simulators around the world to crafting twisty mysteries, my career has been anything but ordinary.

Before becoming a full-time author, I spent many years in the corporate world. As a high school student at Patterson Co-operative High School in Dayton, Ohio, I studied Office Education as well as continued to take classes that interested me – math and science. My first job as a teenager was as a messenger girl for the National Cash Register Company. That led to promotions from Cost Clerk to Executive Secretary. All along, I took night classes at Sinclair Community College to keep inching my education along.

Meanwhile, married with two sons, we moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, in the 70s. I was able to transfer to a company that developed secure electronic communications for the military. In short order, I became an entry-level programmer working on classified programs.

Then, I accepted a position as a computer systems analyst for a flight simulation company. I loved the work that trained military pilots to avoid tragic accidents. It was incredibly rewarding and finally I got my degree in Systems Engineering from the University of South Florida.

I worked my way up from Associate Software Programmer to Senior Program Manager designing and building military flight simulators. That fascinating career took me to England, Wales, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, India, and other remarkable places, where I worked alongside talented professionals while experiencing cultures, history, and landscapes that continue to inspire my writing today.

Eventually, storytelling won my heart. I traded engineering specifications for plot twists, clues, and memorable characters, and I’ve never looked back.

Today, I write full-time from my home in beautiful downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. When I’m not plotting murders or researching my next mystery, you’ll often find me creating colorful oil paintings or working with fused glass. Those artistic pursuits feed my imagination and frequently find their way into my books, where art, craftsmanship, and creativity often play starring roles.

I’m the author of two mystery series: the Webb’s Glass Shop Mysteries, set amid the vibrant arts community of downtown St. Petersburg, and the Paint & Shine Mysteries, which take readers to the scenic mountains of eastern Kentucky. I’m also at work on a historical aviation mystery series that draws upon my engineering background and lifelong fascination with aviation history.

Being part of the mystery writing community is one of my greatest joys. I’m a Past President of the Florida Gulf Coast Sisters in Crime, a member of the Florida chapter of Mystery Writers of America, and a member of International Thriller Writers. I’ve also had the privilege of serving as co-chair of SleuthFest 2024-2025, one of the country’s premier mystery writers’ conferences.

You’ll usually find me attending mystery conferences throughout the year, including SleuthFest in Florida, Malice Domestic in Maryland, ThrillerFest in New York City, Left Coast Crime, and Bouchercon, wherever the convention lands next. These gatherings are wonderful opportunities to reconnect with friends, discover new authors, learn from industry professionals, and celebrate the mystery genre with fellow readers and writers.

Whether you’ve been reading my books for years or have just discovered my work, I’m delighted you’re here. I hope you’ll stop by Booklover’s Bench often as I share behind-the-scenes glimpses into my writing life, travel adventures, research discoveries, artistic projects, and, of course, plenty of mystery along the way.

I’d love to hear from you! Share your career twists in the Booklover’s Bench comments.

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Want to know more about our author Cheryl Hollon? Visit her WEBSITE.

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The Webb’s Glass Shop Mysteries are set in the city of St. Petersburg, FL. The characters spend considerable time creating magnificent glass art and also sampling the culinary delights of the downtown waterfront’s foodie landscape. Please buy books locally if you can. Independent bookstores need your patronage. If your budget is tight, support your local library – that counts, too! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074CF91QF