Bio

Image of Theodora B. AggelesI am a writer, author, journalist, educator and as the saying goes, once a nurse, always a nurse. As a child, I plunged into books rather than being present in a house where alcohol and violence were frequent visitors. When my mother was her authentic self - untouched by demons that haunted her - she loved books. Her love of reading trickled down to me, as if imprinted on strands of DNA.

Since those days, I have worked on oncology floors, in endoscopy, recovery rooms and intensive care. I learned and experienced much, but a part of me was unfulfilled. When I risked changing my mind and my profession, the gap narrowed.

My left brain led me to logical doorsteps and a paycheck. I worked as an editorial assistant, a correspondent for daily and weekly newspapers, wrote articles for local, national and international magazines, and for a year penned Florida Xlibris, a book review column for the St. Petersburg Times. I still author continuing ed (CEs) programs for nurses.

Earning a degree in English and American Lit introduced me to contemporary and time-tested writing. A women’s studies class inspired me to create A.W.A.K.E. (Abused Women Advocates Kindle Empowerment), a non-profit organization to help healthcare providers recognize victims of domestic violence. Mentoring special ed students reminded me that kids still diversions from their struggles at home. Through it all, I wrote.

The results: First place in a short fiction contest in 2001, hundreds of published articles, several published CEs, Answering the Call: Nurses of Post 122, a non-fiction book, a couple of unpublished romance novels stashed in a drawer, and a YA novel, Perverts, Prom Queens and Promises, represented by The Belfrey Literary Agency.

Currently I’m writing a series based on PPQP’s protagonist, Lydia, a foster teen, senior at Baypoint High and a Sunrise County Forensic internship program intern. I am also completing a YA (historical) about the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

I live in my hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida, with the love of my life (husband); Roxie the cat, and nearby my daughter-turned-professor; son-in-law-turned- horticulturist-and-talented website creator; and always brilliant 2-year-old grandson.