Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the Readers’ Favorite “Five Star” rated Sophie Washington children’s books series, geared toward readers ages 8 to 12, and she’s a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Since she was very young she’s been an avid reader, and she won her first writing contest when she was in the fifth grade for a story she wrote and illustrated. A native of Louisville, Kentucky, her first article was published in her hometown newspaper when she was in high school. Ellis has worked as a journalist and freelance magazine writer and was inspired to write her Sophie Washington children’s book series after making up stories for her daughter and two sons. When she’s not reading or writing Ellis likes to bike, swim, travel and spend time with her husband and three children, who give her plenty of inspiration for her books. She lives in Houston, Texas.
