Chris Mandeville writes science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories, as well as nonfiction books for writers. She's the author of five published works.
After growing up in California and graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, Chris married a U.S. Air Force officer and moved from state to state, as well as to British Columbia, before settling in Colorado. She now lives in the woods of the Rocky Mountains with her family and her service dog, Finn.
Chris loves coffee, puppies, action movies, mystery novels, hockey, Firefly, and Top Chef. She enjoys exploring new places, and has traveled throughout Europe and the United States, as well as visited Canada, Mexico, Iceland, and Brazil. When at home, she likes to cook, and usually has a cooking show liked Chopped or a re-run of Castle keeping her company in the kitchen. She loves to take evening walks in the woods with her husband of more than thirty years, and they regularly hang out together in their home theater binge-watching TV series like The Expanse and Carnival Row.
After growing up in California and graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, Chris married a U.S. Air Force officer and moved from state to state, as well as to British Columbia, before settling in Colorado. She now lives in the woods of the Rocky Mountains with her family and her service dog, Finn.
Chris loves coffee, puppies, action movies, mystery novels, hockey, Firefly, and Top Chef. She enjoys exploring new places, and has traveled throughout Europe and the United States, as well as visited Canada, Mexico, Iceland, and Brazil. When at home, she likes to cook, and usually has a cooking show liked Chopped or a re-run of Castle keeping her company in the kitchen. She loves to take evening walks in the woods with her husband of more than thirty years, and they regularly hang out together in their home theater binge-watching TV series like The Expanse and Carnival Row.
Reading fiction is a daily activity for Chris. She reads across genre in both young adult and adult, from speculative fiction to women's fiction, and most flavors of mystery-suspense-thriller. Recently she's enjoyed the Heist Society series by Ally Carter and The Chronos Files series by Rysa Walker. She's an enthusiastic First Reader for two of her favorite authors: Barbara Nickless and Todd Fahnestock.
Her all-time favorite writers include Jeffery Deaver, John Hart, Chris Bohjalian, Neil Gaiman, Faye Kellerman, Jim Butcher (she's pictured here with Bob the Skull from his Dresden Files series), Lucia St. Clair Robson, Jonathan Maberry, Philip Pullman, Joss Whedon, and Robert Crais, among many others.
Chris can write anywhere, but her usual spot is a comfy chair at home where she has a great view of the outdoors, the only sound is the wind in the trees, her coffee cup is in reach, and Finn is snoozing by her feet. She's not a morning person by any stretch of the imagination, but recently she's actually been enjoying the practice of Fightmaster Yoga each morning (no one is more shocked than she is), followed by writing for five to seven hours. She checks in daily with her writing "co-worker," author Todd Fahnestock. Chris and Todd have been in the same critique group for more than fifteen years, and they support each other through brainstorming, critique, pep-talks, and participating in events together.
Her all-time favorite writers include Jeffery Deaver, John Hart, Chris Bohjalian, Neil Gaiman, Faye Kellerman, Jim Butcher (she's pictured here with Bob the Skull from his Dresden Files series), Lucia St. Clair Robson, Jonathan Maberry, Philip Pullman, Joss Whedon, and Robert Crais, among many others.
Chris can write anywhere, but her usual spot is a comfy chair at home where she has a great view of the outdoors, the only sound is the wind in the trees, her coffee cup is in reach, and Finn is snoozing by her feet. She's not a morning person by any stretch of the imagination, but recently she's actually been enjoying the practice of Fightmaster Yoga each morning (no one is more shocked than she is), followed by writing for five to seven hours. She checks in daily with her writing "co-worker," author Todd Fahnestock. Chris and Todd have been in the same critique group for more than fifteen years, and they support each other through brainstorming, critique, pep-talks, and participating in events together.
Chris has taught writing workshops for writers' groups along the Front Range of Colorado on a variety of topics including writer's block, character building, backstory, pitching, improv writing, and building better beginnings. For more information about Chris teaching a workshop or giving a presentation at your school, book club, or other event, click here.
When Chris isn't writing, she and Finn can often be found at events for readers and writers held at libraries, conventions, and conferences. Click here to find out where you might spot them next.
When Chris isn't writing, she and Finn can often be found at events for readers and writers held at libraries, conventions, and conferences. Click here to find out where you might spot them next.
Click here to see more photos of Chris and Finn with some of their favorite writers.
