Claudette     Born in the urban south, Claudette grew up in Chicago, Illinois and has enjoyed residency in several American cities and the Caribbean. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications, and worked in a number of industries in various capacities until she discovered that writing was what she wanted to do most.  •She worked for a number of years in management for a Fortune 100 company •Worked for both a regional and a major American airline  •Worked in Tourism, as a business owner and as a tour director   •Conducted training workshops in writing •Is a published author. In the early '90's while living in Atlanta, Georgia, Claudette attended a booksigning for star of stage, film and television, Yaphat Kotto, (at that time starring in the hit television series HOMICIDE) and experienced one of those defining moments that changes the course of a life.  Not writing professionally at the time, she was only attending the booksigning to meet Kotto and to acquire an autographed copy of his book, which was about his African ancestors.  To her amazement, there was very little Press present at the booksigning, and when she mentioned this to a friend, she was dared to fill the vacancy and ask Kotto for an interview.  Gathering her courage, she took the dare.  The following is an excerpt from one of Claudette's articles: "After waiting in a long line, when it was my turn, I handed him the book, told him my name, and without taking a breath said, "'Mr. Kotto, I don't officially represent the Press, but I'm sure they would be eager to learn about your booksigning today ... that's so clearly a great success. I'm a writer, and would love to interview you and make sure information about today's event gets out."' He looked at me for a moment, then smiled the biggest, broadest smile and said, '"And, I would love giving you an interview so the information can indeed reach the press and public. If you'll wait a moment, I'll give you a telephone number to reach me, and we'll do an indepth interview."' I nearly fainted. I was so shocked, it took a few seconds to register   ... he'd actually agreed. I look back at that day, and believe that he understood quite clearly just how much that interview would mean to me."  The following day Claudette conducted the indepth  interview that would launch her career as a freelance writer. She has been a freelance writer now for many years, and has experience as a business and technical writer, a newspaper writer and a novelist; however her greatest joy is tackling whatever subject grabs her interest.  Because of this diverse background, she is equally adapt at writing both fiction and non-fiction literature. Although Claudette has completed two fiction novels, The Secret of the Veil is the first one published.    Look for the sequel to The Secret ... this Summer/Fall