Nancy Ann Zrinyi Long was born in Steubenville, Ohio. As a graduate of Ohio Dominican University, she later earned her MA and doctorate in English/Education from the University of Central Florida. She is a retired Professor of English from Bethune-Cookman University and former Director of the National Writing Project/Daytona Beach site. She retired as Councilwoman for the City of South Daytona and is the founder and president of the Heritage Preservation Trust/Lilan Place Victorian Museum. Her books include "The Ghosts of Lilian Place" and two children's books, "Mary McLeod Bethune: The Black Velvet Rose" and "The Mystery of the Missing Book: Lilian Place Series".