In my work, my message is to demonstrate that dreams and ambitions can become reality through perseverance and hard work AND a belief in one's self, and that, although there are often pitfalls, she should never stop believing in herself. I want to instill confidence and determination in young women who read my Thoroughbred Series and other horse books, and I want to bolster the self-confidence and determination of my older reading audience, along with bringing them a good story with good endings that a lot of them don't see in their personal lives, but only get through books.

When I was growing to adulthood in the sixties, there weren't that many job opportunities open to women except in teaching, nursing, or corporate secretarial work. The glass ceiling was pretty low back then. We really have COME A LONG WAY, BABY! in crashing down that glass ceiling, yet, the opportunities are still fewer for women than they are for men. Girls and women still have a long uphill battle before we will have the same opportunities that our opposite sex takes for granted.

I have no feminist agenda here. I only speak in my books about what I've lived through and experienced myself in different situations than those I write about--remember I write FICTION. But I have a deep and abiding sympathy with all my female characters, and they have all become real life characters to me, be it Jessica in my adult books, or Ashleigh in my Thoroughbred books. Even though I know they are creatures of my experiences and imagination they are real in my mind.

I can't tell you, my readers in both genres, how much I appreciate your support of my work, and I can't thank you enough for your comments and letters--especially from my Thoroughbred Series followers and fans. You guys are GREAT! And, if you keep on the same track, you're going to grow up to be great women!

Finally I would welcome all of you to visit all of my website, but we have divided it into two parts for your convenience. You can now click on the Jo Ann Simon intensive site, or you can click on the Joanna Campbell intensive site. Or you can click back and forth between the two.