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Resume

Summery

I’m an award-winning author and artist with a passion for emotionally grounded storytelling and regional themes inspired by Appalachian and Western culture. Under the pen names Mina Beckett and Shelby James, I write contemporary Western and sweet romance that explores love, resilience, and belonging in the landscapes I know by heart.

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Since 2005, I’ve built a multifaceted creative career spanning fiction, nonfiction, and visual art. My work has appeared in national publications like Woman’s World and Sasee Magazine, as well as digital outlets including Micromance Magazine. In 2018, I launched CurtissLynn Publishing, an independent press that gives me the freedom to write across genres—blending romance, mystery, and deeply personal themes without the constraints of commercial formulas.

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My visual art, primarily oil painting, explores themes of identity, endurance, and place, especially within Appalachian and Western traditions. While not yet exhibited, my work has been collected privately and shared online through my ArtAlive newsletter and personal portfolio.

Mina Beckett

Education

Publications

Skills & Expertise

Writing Highlights

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  • Associate Degree in Technology

  • Dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Business Administration and Management

  • Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership

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Novels

  • Sullivan's Way. 5Prince Publishing, 2016

  • Love Find's Its Way. 5Prince Publishing, 2017

  • The Heartbreak Cowboy. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2018

  • The Fallen Cowboy. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2018

  • A Cowboy Charming Christmas. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2019

  • Breaking the Cowboy. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2021

  • Coldiron Cowboy's Boxset. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2022

  • Hollywood Cowboy. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2023

  • A Cold Montana Christmas. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2024

  • Snowbound Hearts. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2024

  • Roughneck Cowboy. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2025​

  • A Christmas Wish Come True. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2024

  • The Key to My Heart Inn. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2024

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Novella's

  • The Cowboy's Goodnight Kiss. CurtissLyn Publishing, 2018

  • Trapped In Temptation. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2024

  • Secrets Behind the Masquerade. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2024

  • Once Upon a Halloween. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2024

  • When August Ends, CurtissLynn Publishing, 2025

 

Novelette's

  • Diva Cat's & Cheap Bubbly. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2025

  • Love on the Line. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2025

  • Runaway Bridesmaid. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2025

  • The Beach House Bet. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2025

  • Once More Goodbye. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2025

  • Once Loved. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2025

  • Under a July Moon. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2025

  • When August Ends. CurtissLynn Publishing, 2025

 

 

Short Stories

  • "A Starlight Vineyard Romance" Micromance Magazine, 2024

  • "A Sky-High Romance" CurtissLynn Publishing, 2024

  • "The Friendship Fall" CurtissLynn Publishing, 2024

  • "A Heart Full of Thanks" CurtissLynn Publishing, 2024

  • "A Winterberry Christmas" Micromance Magazine, 2024

  • "A December to Begin Again" CurtissLynn Publishing, 2024

  • "A Star Spangled Reunion" Woman's World Magazine, 2024

  • "The Sweet Side of Mix-Up" Woman's World Magazine, 2024

  • "The Missing Tom Mystery" Woman's World Magazine, 2024

  • "Dance of Second Chances" Woman's World Magazine, 2024

  • "Breaking the Ice" Woman's World Magazine, 2025

  • "Unexpected Dinner Date" Woman's World Magazine, 2025​

  • "Bumping Into Love," KissMeet Quarterly, Micromance Magazine, Spring 2025

  •  Contributing Author, "Christmas at Murphy's," KissMeet Quarterly anthology, Micromance Magazine, 2025

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Article's and Essay's

  • “Healing Through Courageous Creativity.” Sasee Magazine, 2024. Featured essay & cover artist. "Infinite Sprite

  • "Those Who Fight For Love" Sasee Magazine, 2025

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Newsletter's

  • The Romantic Reader – Creator & Author. Monthly newsletter featuring original romance fiction, author updates, and serialized content (2024–Present)

  • ArtAlive – Writer & Visual Artist. Monthly newsletter focused on oil painting, process, and the intersection of art and storytelling (2024–Present)

  • Let’s Talk Publishing – Editor & Independent Publisher. Informational newsletter offering insights into indie publishing, marketing, and the creative business (2025)

 

Writing & Storytelling

  • Long-form fiction writing: novels, novellas, and novelettes

  • Short fiction for magazine markets

  • Multi-genre writing

  • Character-driven storytelling and emotional plotting

  • Writing under multiple pen names and brand voices

  • Dialogue crafting, pacing, and story structure development

  • Manuscript development, editing, and story doctoring

  • Content creation for newsletters, blogs, and author platforms

  • Personal essay and narrative nonfiction writing

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  • Visual Arts & Illustration

  • Professional oil painting with a focus on rural, Appalachian, and Western themes

  • Cover illustration and magazine feature art

  • Painting for private collectors and gallery presentation

  • Giclée print preparation, signing, and limited-edition management

  • Digital and physical art merchandising

  • Visual storytelling that complements written narratives

 

  • Publishing & Book Production

  • Founder and publisher of CurtissLynn Publishing

  • End-to-end indie publishing for digital and print formats

  • Print layout, typesetting, and eBook conversion

  • ISBN, copyright, and metadata management

  • Quality control, proofreading, and final file delivery

  • Upload and distribution via Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and direct sales channels

  • Book series planning, release schedules, and backlist maintenance

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  • Technology & Digital Tools

  • Website design and maintenance 

  • Graphic design 

  • Email marketing platforms

  • File formatting tools: 

  • Social media scheduling and analytics tools 

  • Digital downloads and fulfillment via e-commerce platforms

  • Cloud storage, content backups, and document version control

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  • Business & Entrepreneurship

  • Small business ownership and daily operations

  • Strategic planning and creative project management

  • Budgeting, vendor relations, and timeline oversight

  • Branding and brand consistency across multiple creative identities

  • Intellectual property awareness and rights management

  • Inventory and shipping for books and fine art prints

  • Customer service, community engagement, and sales funnel management

  • Data tracking, sales reports, and marketing analytics

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  • Marketing, Promotion & Outreach

  • Content marketing for books, art, and brand storytelling

  • Press release writing and media kit development

  • Book launch strategy, ARC distribution, and newsletter campaigns

  • Social media content creation, engagement, and growth

  • Audience segmentation and subscriber funneling

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  • Winner – 2020 Imadjinn Award, Best Romance Novel

        A Cowboy Charming Christmas
        Presented by the Imaginarium Convention

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