Karen Bargery Ross is a children’s author, educator, and multidisciplinary creative professional whose career spans literature, education, technology, and the arts. She holds a Magna Cum Laude degree in English and Creative Writing from Liberty University and currently teaches high‑school English at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida.

Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Karen began her creative journey as a folk singer before relocating to Miami in 1979 as a single mother. She spent twenty‑five years in the legal field, advancing to director of word processing and technology for prominent personal injury and medical malpractice firms. She later served as director of professional development at EWM Realty, a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices company, where she trained Real Estate professionals in digital communication, blogging, and social media strategy. During her tenure, she designed more than 300 custom WordPress websites and developed training programs that strengthened the company’s digital presence.

Karen’s lifelong love of books ultimately led her to pursue writing for children. She has written, illustrated, and self‑published seven children’s books, many inspired by her granddaughters, Ellie and Emmeline. Her work blends humor, imagination, and emotional resonance, often drawing from family experiences, childhood wonder, and themes of resilience. In addition to her children’s literature, Karen has written numerous drama sketches, original songs, and a three‑act play performed as a ticketed dinner‑theater production.

Beyond writing, Karen is a skilled seamstress, fabric designer, photographer, guitarist, singer, songwriter, and digital artist. She frequently creates custom costumes and textile art for her grandchildren and enjoys producing illustrations using Adobe Photoshop. Her creative portfolio also includes video editing, soft‑sculpture design, and contributions to large‑scale productions such as the Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant.

Karen continues to expand her body of work with new projects, including a forthcoming children’s book, Big Tommy Little, a completed novella manuscript, and an historical fiction novel based on her paternal grandfather. Her commitment to storytelling reflects her belief that creativity is a lasting legacy — one that enriches families, classrooms, and future generations.

As a fourth grader, my teacher pulled my mother aside to express concern about my “obsession” with reading. And she wasn’t wrong — I always had a book in my hand. But at nine years old, being singled out for something I loved left me embarrassed and ashamed. I felt as if I had done something wrong, so I abandoned my first love… books.

For years, I didn’t pick up a book for pleasure.

That changed when I was twenty‑one, working my first job as a paralegal. I rediscovered reading through self‑help books, non‑fiction, trade manuals, and computer guides. I read to my young daughter, and she read to me. Slowly, the joy returned.

After Hurricane Andrew destroyed my home in 1992, I moved to Fort Lauderdale and found myself in a church that used drama during worship services to bring sermons to life. I asked the director if I could help write sketches, and soon I had written more than twenty‑five pieces, many of which were performed by our drama team.

During one two‑week burst of inspiration, I wrote a full three‑act play. Six weeks later, it premiered as a ticketed dinner‑theater event. I’ll be sharing that soon.

At another church, I wrote, cast, directed, filmed, and edited two drama sketches for the women’s ministry — even co‑writing original theme songs to avoid copyright issues. Those songs are available on the video‑songs tab.

Audience members often told me they remembered the drama long after the sermon faded from memory. Their encouragement kept me writing.

My dream was to write for children. I’ve always loved clever children’s books — the kind written by the child inside the adult, for the child inside the adult. I wanted to be that kind of author.

Over the past seven years, I’ve written, illustrated, and self‑published seven children’s books, with ideas for three more. Many were inspired by my granddaughter Ellie, who proudly introduced me to her friends by saying, “She writes stories about me.” My seventh book features my second granddaughter, whose wish for a pet giraffe leads to some very funny reasoning. I hope young readers enjoy it.

I also wrote a poem that will become my next children’s book, Big Tommy Little, which I plan to illustrate and publish for Valentine’s Day 2027.

Recently, I completed my first novella manuscript and am now working on a historical fiction novel based on my paternal grandfather.

Perhaps my desire to write for children comes from wanting to reclaim the time I lost after fourth grade. Or perhaps, as I’ve grown older, writing has become my way of leaving something lasting behind.

Whatever the reason, I love writing — especially writing for children.