Her plays have been featured in New Jersey and Pennsylvania theaters. Her short stories, including six first-prize winners, have appeared in various print and online literary journals.
Her published work includes a mystery, CRIMSON ICE, and a collection of short works, FATEFUL ENCOUNTERS, COLLECTED STORIES & PLAYS.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joanne Weck novelist, playwright, and short story author is inspired by family history. Many of her tales are set in rural northeastern Pennsylvania where she grew up. Her mother, a natural storyteller instilled in her a love of poetry, drama, and biblical stories.
With degrees in English and Theater (University of Pittsburgh) she also draws on experiences as an actress, director, and teacher. One of her favorite creative projects was mentoring YAWT (Young Artists’ Workshop Theater) for teen writers and actors.
Photo by Elisa Chalem
When she was a teacher, most recently at Union Township High School in New Jersey, Weck also wore many hats, teaching creative writing, theater and television production, in addition to sponsoring a Young Artists’ Workshop play festival.
Since her retirement, she’s devoted herself to writing. Her first novel, Crimson Ice, was inspired by a challenge – when she complained about how formulaic mystery novels could be, her sister dared her to write one. That’s exactly what Weck did.
“I’ve had so many students who have written to me and said, ‘Oh, I’ve ordered your book! Can’t wait to read it,’” she said.
In the News
PAGE 10—THE JOURNAL OF THE POCONO PLATEAU, WEEK OF OCTOBER 29, 2015
Local author releases Pocono-based mystery
NCC Presents Shane Burcaw: Happiness is Always an Option
Author Joanne Weck announces the October 14 release of her latest novel, Double Deception. No stranger to the Poconos, she does most of her writing at her cabin in Pocono Pines, a place where her family has deep roots. She has always been inspired by the lovely forests, waterfalls, and mountains, and often uses this background in her writing.
Double Deception, a fast- paced novel, is set in Manhattan and in the Poconos area. The plot involves beautiful 29 year- old-twins, separated at birth, who know nothing of one another’s existence until kidnapped separately by dangerous criminals, they discover one another. Held in a Poconos cabin, in mortal danger, only their ingenuity and courage can save them.
Weck’s first novel, Crimson Ice, A Pocono Mountain Mystery was set entirely in the Pocono area, with action taking place in many familiar locals, including Shawnee Playhouse and the Jubilee Diner. Both mysteries, as well as Fateful Encounters, her collection of short stories and plays are available from Amazon.
Since retiring from her full time position as a high school teacher who taught “all the exciting courses—Creative Writing, Theater Arts and TV Production, as well as English,” Weck currently devotes herself to one of her earliest loves—writing fiction—mysteries, young adult books, short stories, and plays.
In elementary school she was known as the class poet. During high school and college years she edited and wrote for school literary magazines. She holds a Masters in Theater, Acting and Directing from the University of Pittsburgh and attended The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan. She also worked as an assistant editor for Scholastic magazines.
During her years as a full time teacher and mother she found less time to devote to writing. Still, she wrote and had several plays produced in NJ theaters (Playwrights Theater, John Harms, Whole Theater, and
others) even while teaching full time. As a teacher she enjoyed sharing her love of writing with her students. Her favorite projects include sponsoring YAWT (Young Artists Workshop Theater) for teen actors and writers and CAST (Communication Arts and Science) for aspiring TV writers and performers.
Weck’s teaching career has included stints in Pittsburgh, Linwood, NJ, Tenafly, NJ, Union, NJ, and most recently as a home instructor for the Fort Lee Board of Ed. She is married and lives in Fort Lee with her husband, spending weekends and summers in the Poconos. She has one son, Eric Liebhauser who lives in California.
You can learn more about the author from her website Joanneweck.com.
Her blog, amuseforawriter@ blogspot.com celebrates the writing life.
FORT LEE, N.J. — It's no coincidence that Fort Lee author Joanne Weck's latest novel takes place in both Manhattan and the Poconos.
The former teacher splits time at her borough home during the week and the Poconos on weekends.
“I watch the bears come wandering down the dirt road, watch the birds in the feeders -- and squirrels,” said Weck, whose novel, "Double Deception," was published in early October.
Writing has always been her escape.
“I grew up in a family of 10 kids,” Weck said. “I was the poet, I was the writer, I put on plays for grade-school classes. That’s how I got the attention that I needed.”
Her mother rocked her younger siblings to sleep by singing nursery rhymes. It stoked an early interest in poems and rhymes.
“I started writing at 6 or 7,” Weck said. “I wrote almost continuously throughout my life.”
Weck is nothing if not versatile, having worked in Lakewood, Lynwood, Tenafly and Union Township teaching "all the exciting courses," she said, "creative writing, theater arts and TV production, as well as English.”
After retiring in 2001, she found she missed working with youngsters and took up part-time tutor work for Fort Lee.
Weck continues to find time to write poems, produce plays and even interview celebrities such as Michael Jackson and Brooke Shields for Scholastic Magazine.
The fast-paced "Double Deception" is set in and around Manhattan with scenes in a deserted cabin in the Pocono Mountains.
The plot involves a pair of twins, separated at birth, who know nothing of one another’s existence until each kidnapped in Manhattan. Held by dangerous criminals, they discover one another and escape by combining their ingenuity and courage.
Weck already is working on another novel that she hopes is released in January.
But she's also still feeling the thrill of her latest release.
“I didn’t believe it was real until I was holding the paperback last week,” she said.
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