Castaneda, Eliza C. 1958–

PERSONAL: Born October 22, 1958, in Providence, RI; daughter of Gerald (a college professor) and Eliza Seely (an administrator; maiden name, Crosslen) Cross. Ethnicity: "Caucasian." Education: Northeastern Junior College, A.A.S., 1978.

ADDRESSES: Agent—c/o Author Mail, Globe Pequot Press, 246 Goose Lane, P.O. Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: Wiesner Publishing, Centennial, CO, vice president, 1985–2001; writer, 2001–. South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, member of board of directors, 1996–99.

MEMBER: Slow Foods, International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers.

WRITINGS:

Food Lovers' Guide to Colorado, Globe Pequot Press (Guilford, CT), 2003.

Contributor to periodicals, including Mountain Living, Log and Timber Style, Denver Post, and Adoptive Families.

WORK IN PROGRESS: A "culinary novel."

SIDELIGHTS: Eliza C. Castaneda told CA: "For twenty years, I pursued a challenging and rewarding career in magazine publishing. I worked for a supportive company, had great colleagues, and did work that I enjoyed. But as I spent more time writing on the side as an avocation, I couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that a new dream was calling me.

"I had many fears and doubts about leaving the comfort of my secure paycheck, great benefits, and a career that had become a huge part of my identity. But one morning in August of 2001, I woke up with such a great sense of certainty that I was to take the next step that I gave my notice at work. Two weeks later, our lives were forever changed by the events of 9/11. I felt many emotions that week, but I had no doubt that I had made the right decision to follow my dream and pursue a career that would let me spend more time with my family.

"Since then, the journey has been exhilarating. Three weeks after I left the publishing company, I signed a contract with the Globe Pequot Press to write Food Lovers' Guide to Colorado. I am now in the final stages of completing a manuscript for a book that weaves a story around an old family recipe book. I have been writing this book for several years, and because it contains a number of stories and recipes from my own extended family, it is near and dear to my heart."