Phyllis A. Whitney

Date of Birth: September 9, 1903

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: February 8, 2008

Biography

Phyllis A. Whitney was a prolific American author renowned for her contributions to the genres of mystery and romance. Born on September 9, 1903, in Yokohama, Japan, to American parents, Whitney lived in various places around the world during her childhood, including China and the Philippines, before settling in the United States. She began her writing career as a children’s book author in the 1940s and later transitioned to writing adult mystery novels. Over her career, she wrote more than 70 books, including titles like “The Turquoise Mask” and “The Winter People.” Whitney was known for her ability to weave intricate plots set in exotic locations. She received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America. Whitney passed away on February 8, 2008, in Faber, Virginia.

5 Interesting Facts about Phyllis A. Whitney

1. Phyllis A. Whitney was often referred to as the “Queen of American Gothics” due to her mastery of the Gothic romance genre.

2. She won the Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Mystery twice, once in 1961 for “The Mystery of the Haunted Pool” and again in 1964 for “The Mystery of the Hidden Hand.”

3. Whitney’s novels have been translated into more than 30 languages, making her a global literary figure.

4. She was a dedicated member of the Mystery Writers of America and served as its president in 1975.

5. Despite her extensive writing career, Whitney didn’t publish her first adult novel until she was 39 years old.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Phyllis A. Whitney

1. “Good stories are not written. They are rewritten.”

2. “Never mind the rejections, everybody gets them. The important thing is to keep writing.”

3. “You must want to enough. Enough to take all the rejections, enough to pay the price.”

4. “Writing is a solitary occupation. Family, friends, and society are the natural enemies of the writer. He must be alone, uninterrupted, and slightly savage if he is to work at all.”

5. “I cannot imagine life without books any more than I can imagine life without breathing.”