Janet Nichols Lynch is the author of seventeen books. Her most recent publication is the children’s Black historical novel Ellen of Allensworth. Her debut novel, Chest Pains, was published in 2009 and her novel More to Life, about the humor and challenges of growing old, is forthcoming from Legacy Book Press, fall 2025. Her short fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, Seventeen, Highway 99: A Literary Journey through California’s Great Central Valley, and elsewhere. Her young adult novels include Messed Up, a 2009 ALA Quick-Pick for Reluctant Readers and a VOYA (Voices of Youth Advocates) Top of the Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers; Racing California, a 2012 Society of School Librarians International Honor Book; My Beautiful Hippie; Commie Pinko; and Wheel of Fire. Janet has also written nonfiction for young readers about music including American Music Makers: An Introduction to American Composers; Women Music Makers: An Introduction to Women Composers; Clara Schumann, Pianist and Composer; and Florence Price, American Composer.

Janet was born in Sacramento, California, and graduated with a BA in Music from California State University, a Master of Music Degree in Piano from Arizona State University, and an MFA in Creative Writing from Fresno State University. She has taught music and English at the community college, high school, and middle school levels, and private piano to all ages.           

Janet lives in Visalia, California, with her husband composer Timothy Lynch, and they have two grown children, three grandchildren, and three cats. Janet has completed twenty marathons and numerous other races and triathlons. As an avid cyclist, she is nearing the completion of her goal of cycling in all fifty states.