About the Author

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​Linda Hall-Kelsoe grew up in the Midwest, earned a B.S. in English from the University of Minnesota, and moved to southern California in 1983.

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Her debut travel book, Europe à la Mode: 9 Tips for a Cherry-on-Top Travel Experience, was named a finalist in the travel category of the 2025 Best Book Awards, a national competition sponsored by American BookFest.

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Her short story “The Boat”—from her forthcoming collection The Black Velvet Swing—was a finalist in the PSWG 2025 Summer Contest, earning high praise from the judge. The new book, slated for release in late 2026, explores universal themes of love, change, and perseverance.

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Linda is an active member of the Palm Springs Writers Guild and a regular presenter at literary and travel events across the region. She met her husband and travel mate, Jeff Kelsoe, through a personal ad in the San Diego Reader. They currently live in Palm Desert, California.