Picture a storyteller weaving Victorian romance with the flair of a literary scholar—meet Joanna Lowell! This American author, also known as Joanna Ruocco, captivates readers with her bestselling historical romances like the Duke Undone series while crafting experimental fiction that’s earned her the Pushcart Prize and Catherine Doctorow Innovative Fiction Prize. From her North Carolina home among fig trees, Lowell blends academic insight with spellbinding narratives, making her a standout in both romance and literary circles.
A professor at Wake Forest University, Lowell’s dual career as a romance novelist and avant-garde writer showcases her versatility. Her stories, whether steamy Victorian tales or boundary-pushing experimental works, invite readers into richly imagined worlds. Ready to dive into her unique blend of heart and intellect? Let’s explore Joanna Lowell’s journey!
The Making of Joanna Lowell
Joanna Lowell, born Joanna Ruocco, grew up with a passion for storytelling that led her to earn an MFA from Brown University and a Ph.D. in creative writing from the University of Denver. Her academic path shaped her sharp, innovative style, while her love for romance novels sparked her pseudonym, Joanna Lowell. Teaching creative writing at Wake Forest, she balances scholarly pursuits with crafting tales of love and adventure, drawing inspiration from Victorian England’s lush settings and complex social dynamics.
As co-founder and editor of the literary magazine Birkensnake, Lowell honed her experimental voice, publishing works like Another Governess / The Least Blacksmith under her real name. Her ability to shift between genres—romance, gothic, and experimental fiction—reflects her boundless creativity and deep understanding of narrative craft.
Joanna Lowell’s Unforgettable Stories
Lowell’s historical romance novels, published under her pseudonym, are beloved for their vivid characters and intelligent prose. The Duke Undone (2021), the first in her acclaimed Duke Undone series, follows Lucy Coover, a Royal Academy art student, who stumbles upon a naked duke and paints a scandalous portrait, igniting an unlikely love story. Critics praise its lush, evocative writing and exploration of gender, class, and empire.
The Runaway Duchess (2022) continues the series, weaving a tale of Lavinia Yardley, a bride who flees a vile duke and assumes a botanist’s identity, finding true love with a plant hunter. Artfully Yours (2023) introduces Nina Finch, a forger whose romance with an art critic crackles with tension. Under her real name, Joanna Ruocco, she pens experimental works like Dan and Field Glass, co-authored with Joanna Howard, which challenge narrative conventions and showcase her innovative style.
Lowell’s romances blend sensuality with social commentary, while her experimental fiction pushes boundaries, earning her accolades like the 2013 Pushcart Prize for her short story “If the Man Took” and the Catherine Doctorow Innovative Fiction Prize for Another Governess / The Least Blacksmith. Her ability to craft both accessible and avant-garde stories sets her apart.
Why Joanna Lowell Matters
Joanna Lowell’s impact lies in her ability to bridge genres, bringing scholarly depth to historical romance and accessibility to experimental fiction. Her Duke Undone series has redefined Victorian romance, tackling issues like women’s rights and class inequity with wit and heart, earning starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal. As Joanna Ruocco, her literary contributions inspire writers to take risks, influencing the experimental fiction landscape.
Her dual career as an educator and author amplifies her influence, mentoring students at Wake Forest while captivating readers worldwide. Lowell’s work reminds us that stories—whether romantic or radical—can challenge, entertain, and connect us across time.
- Pen Names: Joanna Lowell (romance), Joanna Ruocco (experimental fiction)
- Key Works: The Duke Undone, The Runaway Duchess, Artfully Yours, Another Governess / The Least Blacksmith
- Awards: Pushcart Prize (2013), Catherine Doctorow Innovative Fiction Prize (2012)
- Fun Fact: She co-founded the literary magazine Birkensnake.
Snag The Duke Undone and dive into Joanna Lowell’s irresistible blend of romance and rebellion!