Kathleen Woodiwiss Dies

Kathleen Woodiwiss, a New York Times bestselling author and native of Alexandria, Louisiana, died on Tuesday at the age of 68. According to the Associated Press, Woodiwiss was considered a “pioneer of the modern historical romance novel,” and all thirteen of her novels were bestsellers.

In recent years, Ms. Woodiwiss lived in Edgefield Plantation, located just outside of Alexandria, though she spent a large portion of her career living and working in Minnesota.

Woodiwiss was a kind and loyal family person. My mother knew Ms. Woodiwiss for more than twelve years. She recalls Ms. Woodiwiss’s deep love for the Central Louisiana area– its people, its culture, its art. Woodiwiss was a mentor to many aspiring writers, a woman of refined taste, and, indeed, a literary pioneer.