The book was also published by Readers Digest Condensed Books, appearing in twelve foreign languages. The paperback edition of the same book was listed in The Best Books of the First Five Years by BookSense, as one of the titles independent booksellers most enjoyed handselling. In addition, the book was named to the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers list. This book went through six reprintings in less than a year, and was ranked #9 on the Independent Booksellers' seventy-six most highly recommended books for 1999.

The publication of the first Miss Julia book, MISS JULIA SPEAKS HER MIND in 1999, set Ann on a full-time writing career.

All three books are now out of print, but occasionally a used copy of THE PILGRIMAGE appears on for sale. A few years later, her first hardcover book was published: THE PILGRIMAGE, an adventure story set in the nineteenth century. Afterwards, she taught Literature and the Humanities at the University of North Carolina at Asheville.Īnn's writing career began in the early eighties when two mysteries were published as original paperbacks: THE MURDER CURE and THE MURDER STROKE. Reluctant to return to an empty nest, she continued her education by enrolling in the English Department of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned both the Master's and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. When her children were in college, she decided to complete her own education, enrolling in the University of North Carolina at Asheville where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Literature.

Ross is the mother of two daughters and one son, and the grandmother of four grandsons (including twin boys) and two granddaughters, both of whom are her namesakes.

Miss julia speaks her mind summary