Welcome!

Thank you for dropping by!
I write novels, personal essays, and the occasional short story. I am also a regular contributor to Writers' Digest magazine with my "Level Up Your Writing (Life)" column debuting in the March/April issue of 2021.
Additionally I teach several courses for writers via Writer's Digest University:
Check my For Writers page for detailed information and more resources and tips for aspiring writers.
As Jess Montgomery, I write historical mysteries published by Minotaur Books. The Kinship Historical Mystery series is set in 1920s Appalachia and is inspired by Ohio's true first female sheriff. See Books (as Jess) for more details, and visit my Jess Montgomery website for a deeper dive yet into my work.
As Sharon Short, my book-length work ranges from a coming-of-age novel set in the 1950s (My One Square Inch of Alaska) as well as two mystery series: the comedic-with-a-twist-of-social-satire Josie Toadfern mysteries, and the electronic-gumshoe Patricia Delaney series, written in the early 1990s on the cusp of the digital age. See Books (as Sharon) for more details. And learn more about my shorter works at Stories & Essays.
Finally, I hope you'll stay in touch! Reach me via my Contact page or find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (links on my About page).
Warmly,
Sharon
I write novels, personal essays, and the occasional short story. I am also a regular contributor to Writers' Digest magazine with my "Level Up Your Writing (Life)" column debuting in the March/April issue of 2021.
Additionally I teach several courses for writers via Writer's Digest University:
Check my For Writers page for detailed information and more resources and tips for aspiring writers.
As Jess Montgomery, I write historical mysteries published by Minotaur Books. The Kinship Historical Mystery series is set in 1920s Appalachia and is inspired by Ohio's true first female sheriff. See Books (as Jess) for more details, and visit my Jess Montgomery website for a deeper dive yet into my work.
As Sharon Short, my book-length work ranges from a coming-of-age novel set in the 1950s (My One Square Inch of Alaska) as well as two mystery series: the comedic-with-a-twist-of-social-satire Josie Toadfern mysteries, and the electronic-gumshoe Patricia Delaney series, written in the early 1990s on the cusp of the digital age. See Books (as Sharon) for more details. And learn more about my shorter works at Stories & Essays.
Finally, I hope you'll stay in touch! Reach me via my Contact page or find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (links on my About page).
Warmly,
Sharon
NEWS
- March 2021: My regular column, "Level Up Your Writing (Life)" debuts in Writer's Digest Magazine.
- May 2018: I received my third Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist's Award, for short fiction.
- March 2018: My essay, "The Vectors of Forgiveness," was published in the Winter 2018 issue of Jabberwock Review. It's about the time I flew a small airplane with my dad--without training--and how the experience led to greater peace in our relationship. If you're interested in reading the issue (chock full of other great essays, stories and poetry by many fine writers), get your copy here.