| Karyn Monk | |
| Pseudonym: | Karyn Monk |
| Birth Name: | Karyn Monk |
| Birth Date: | 1960 |
| Birth Place: | Ottawa, Ontario |
| Occupation: | Novelist |
| Nationality: | Canadian |
| Education: | University of Toronto |
| Period: | 1994 - 2005 |
| Genre: | Romance |
| Partner: | Scott |
| Children: | 3 |
| Relatives: | Lorraine Monk (mother) |
Karyn Monk is a Canadian author of historical romance novels. Her books have appeared on the USA Today Bestseller List, and have won numerous awards.
Monk is the fourth child of John and Lorraine (Spurrell) Monk. Because her parents had expected a boy, they had not chosen a girl's name, and decided to name their new daughter after the delivery room nurse. Neither parent was sure how to spell the name "Karen," though, leading to the unique spelling they chose.[1]
Monk graduated from university with a degree in history. She planned to work in advertising and in her spare time perform in local musicals. While auditioning for a part in an original musical called "Last Tango in Fargo North Dakota," she met her future husband, Philip, who was that show's music director.[1] The marriage produced three children: Genevieve (b 1998), Carson (b 2001), and Adelaide (b 2005). The family lives in Toronto, Ontario.[1]
With her husband's support, Monk soon left her job in fashion advertising to pursue her dream of writing. After two years of work on her first manuscript, she obtained an agent, who eventually sold her book, "Surrender to a Stranger," to Bantam. The novel was later nominated for Best First Book by Romantic Times.[1] A USAToday bestselling author, Monk has received critical acclaim for her sensual, powerful novels. She has been awarded many honors, including the Aspen Gold, Barclay Gold, the National Readers' Choice Award,[2] and a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award.[3]
Monk took a break from writing, beginning in 2005, to spend time with her three young children.[1]