Kathy Chappetta Spiess, a native of New Orleans, is a short story, poetry, and corporate literature writer. Formerly a communications professional and media director, she received a BA in journalism and advertising from LSU and a MBA from the University of Phoenix. Spiess served on the board of directors for the Southern Louisiana Chapter of Romance Writers of America from 2000 to 2009 and has served as a judge for the organization’s annual Dixie Kane Memorial writing contest, mentoring several fledgling writers in the process.
Spiess and her sister, Karen, co-owned the Tale of Two Sisters bookstores in Metairie, Louisiana, and Covington, Louisiana, both of which closed in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. A fan of local and regional writers, Spiess enjoyed showcasing many Louisiana authors at the bookstore. She has also developed seminars on book marketing.
In 2009, Spiess and Chappetta assumed the duty of updating of two popular history books, Beautiful Crescent: A History of New Orleans and Louisiana: The First 300 Years, both published by Pelican. Beautiful Crescent has been the textbook for New Orleans tour guide training courses since the 1990s. Spiess resides near the city she loves in Metairie, Louisiana. |