Julie Auton was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia but, though she exudes charm, is far too opinionated and direct to be labeled a classic Southern belle.  She writes extensively--sometimes for pay—having worked for Coca-Cola and the Atlanta Olympics, then serving as editor of a business magazine, and running a freelance business in communications for corporations and nonprofits.  Julie now leads marketing efforts for the Atlanta Apparel Mart. She's written several novels aimed at the “tween” market and, as one friend noted, is famous in “an unpublished, undiscovered sort of way.” In her 40s, Julie got a dog, a husband and breast cancer, in that order. Fortunately, the breast cancer is gone, and the dog and husband have stayed.