Who is Sarah Smith? Sarah Smith is a remarkable individual whose life spans literature, music, and philanthropy. Born on December 9, 1947, she holds a B.A. and Ph.D. in English literature from Harvard. Her career began in academia before transitioning to the computer industry. As an author, she has penned historical mysteries and young adult thrillers, earning accolades like the Agatha Award and Massachusetts Book Award. Beyond writing, Sarah is a professional singer and dedicated philanthropist, currently serving as the Major Gifts Officer at the ACLU of Arizona. Her multifaceted contributions make her a notable figure in various fields.
Early Life and Education
Sarah Smith's journey began in the United States and led her to prestigious academic achievements.
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Birth and Early Life: Born on December 9, 1947, Sarah Smith's early years were spent in the United States.
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Education: She pursued higher education at Harvard University, earning both a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Ph.D. in English literature.
Academic and Professional Career
Sarah's career has spanned academia and the computer industry, showcasing her versatility.
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Career in Academia: Before diving into the tech world, Sarah served as an assistant professor of English for several years.
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Career in the Computer Industry: She worked for several companies, including Lisp Machines Inc., Bachman Inc., ITP Systems, Inc., and Effective Educational Tech, which Pearson Education acquired in 2006.
Literary Contributions
Sarah is a celebrated author known for her historical mystery novels and pioneering work in electronic literature.
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Historical Mystery Series: Her series set in turn-of-the-century Boston and Paris features an amnesiac character named Alexander von Reisden.
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King of Space: Published in 1991, this speculative fiction hypertext novel made her a pioneer in electronic literature.
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Chasing Shakespeares: This novel about the Shakespeare authorship has been praised as "the best novel about the Bard since Nothing like the Sun" by Samuel R. Delany.
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The Other Side of Dark: A young adult ghost thriller that won both the Agatha Award for best YA mystery of the year and the Massachusetts Book Award for best YA book of the year.
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Crimes and Survivors: A historical mystery novel about the Titanic and its survivors, focusing on themes of survival, published during the pandemic.
Awards and Recognition
Sarah's work has earned her numerous accolades and honors.
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Fulbright Fellow: She was a Fulbright Fellow from 1968-69.
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Mellon Fellow: She received the Mellon Fellowship in 1977.
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Woman of the Year: The College Club of Boston named her Woman of the Year in 1997.
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Agatha Award: Won for The Other Side of Dark in 2010.
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Massachusetts Book Award: Won for The Other Side of Dark in 2011.
Philanthropy and Arts Education
Sarah's passion for the arts extends to her philanthropic efforts and educational initiatives.
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Philanthropic Work: She has worked with various organizations to support arts education and community development.
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Arts Administration: As the Senior Individual Giving Manager at the Arizona Opera, she helped double the organization’s core group of supporters and regularly outperformed annual revenue goals.
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Current Role: Currently, Sarah is the Major Gifts Officer at the ACLU of Arizona, connecting activists and philanthropists to projects they are eager to support.
Music Career
Sarah's talents also shine in the world of music, where she has made significant contributions.
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Master of Music: She received her Master of Music from Arizona State University (ASU) in 2010.
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Teaching Experience: Her teaching experiences span 15 years, including private music instruction, elementary art and music instruction, and music history and vocal performance instruction as an adjunct professor at Mesa, Paradise Valley, and Central Arizona Community Colleges.
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Professional Singing: Sarah still sings professionally around the valley, showcasing her musical talents.
Personal Life and Interests
Sarah's personal life is as rich and varied as her professional one.
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International Travel: Her love for international travel has taken her to various parts of the world, enriching her experiences and perspectives.
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Family Life: Sarah lives in Boston with her family and not enough cats, reflecting her love for animals and family.
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Ghost Stories and Early Interest in Storytelling: Her love for storytelling began at a young age in Japan, where her sitter would tell her ghost stories at night.
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Living in an Unrestored Victorian House: Back in America, she lived in an unrestored Victorian house where every morning she would help her grandmother haul coal and break sticks into kindling to light the household stove.
Professional Organizations and Community Involvement
Sarah is actively involved in various professional organizations and community initiatives.
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Membership in Professional Organizations: She is a member of several professional organizations, including Sisters in Crime Education Committee, Strong Women: Strange Worlds steering committee, Mystery Writers of America, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers.
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Community Involvement: Through her memberships, Sarah is actively involved in various community initiatives.
Additional Achievements and Publications
Sarah's work has been featured in various publications and anthologies, adding to her impressive portfolio.
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Publications and Anthologies: Her work has been featured in various publications and anthologies, including Death's Excellent Vacation where her story The Boys Go Fishing was published in August 2010.
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Bestselling Series: Her bestselling series of Edwardian mysteries, starring Alexander von Reisden and Perdita Halley, has been published in 14 languages. Two of the books have been named New York Times Notable Books.
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Musical Adaptation: The first book in the series, The Vanished Child, is being made into a musical in Canada.
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Awards and Recognition in Music: Sarah has received awards and recognition for her work in music, including the Daytime Emmy Awards and other notable accolades.
Sarah Smith: A Life of Many Talents
Sarah Smith's life is a tapestry of achievements in literature, music, and philanthropy. Born in 1947, she pursued English literature at Harvard, later teaching before diving into the computer industry. Her historical mystery series and works like King of Space and Chasing Shakespeares have earned her acclaim. Not just a writer, Sarah's also a Fulbright Fellow, Mellon Fellow, and Agatha Award winner.
Her philanthropic efforts shine through her work with the Arizona Opera and the ACLU of Arizona. Sarah's musical journey led her to a Master of Music from ASU, and she continues to perform professionally. Living in Boston, she balances her passions for storytelling, music, and community service. Sarah Smith's legacy is one of creativity, dedication, and impact, inspiring future generations in multiple fields.
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