Carmen Goldthwaite, career journalist and syndicated investigative reporter, after two books on Texas women turned her investigations and writing to a little-known story of children coming to America--Huguenot's to Charleston and later Texas--in her recently completed Historical Novel, WHISPERING SPIRIT.

Her nonfiction books shine the light of history on Texas women ranchers, their lives and tales little known or long forgotten, in TEXAS DAMES: SASSY AND SAVVY WOMEN THROUGHOUT LONE STAR HISTORY. and TEXAS RANCH WOMEN: THREE CENTURIES OF METTLE AND MOXIE. The History Press continues to keep both in print.

Those plus her own history as a “7th generation Texan” contribute to Carmen’s popularity as a speaker to Women’s Clubs, Daughters of the Republic of Texas chapters, Foundations, libraries and archives.

Her move to fiction began in 2013 when she won “Best in Short Fiction” with “Summer’s Kiln,” a modern cowboy story, in a national competition while her historical novel manuscript, WHISPERING SPIRIT, has earned “Finalist” designation in two national contests. A couple of personal essays, “Night Bull” and “Burgers and Butterflies,” appeared in Chicken Soup of the Soul: Miracles Happen and Chicken Soup of the Soul: The Magic of Mothers and Daughters.

Other publishing credits include Wild West, True West, American Cowboy, Fort Worth Texas Magazine, Persimmon Hill, and Latitudes & Attitudes, all magazines. She also has written numerous “how to write” pieces for Writers Guide to 2010, 2011 and 2013 editions. She’s been published in The Way West (Fulcrum) and Wild Women of the Old West (Tor) anthologies. Earlier, her investigative reporting led to Texas statewide awards and syndication with Scripps-Howard News, topping a 20-year newspaper career.

Balancing the need of solitude for research and writing with social contact that's a must, Carmen loves to pass on the tips—and excitement--gained throughout the years by teaching creative writing, including narrative nonfiction, at SMU. Also, she teaches small groups of memoirists and budding novelists in her Fort Worth home.

As tiny “give backs” to those who’ve aided in her research, she has served as a director and past vice president-elect of Archives of Women of the Southwest at SMU DeGolyer Library, Writer-in-Residence, TCU Schieffer School…Community Journalism and former director, Friends of the Fort Worth Library.