Valerie Connelly  lives in Cookeville, Tennessee about 80 miles east of Nashville. She divides her time between publishing, writing, composing and performance. She founded Nightengale Press in July of 2003. To date Nightengale Press has published over 160 books by authors all over the US, Europe, Australia and Canada. In 2008, Nightengale Press evolved into Nightengale Media LLC offering its authors a broad range of custom crafted one-on-one editing options, complete layout and design services, and global distribution in the US, England, Germany, Australia, Russia, Brazil and Canada, including eBook conversion and distribution to the 60 global eBook channels through Ingram Book Company distributors. Valerie keeps writing, and published a new illustrated children's book in 2013 and is working on her third novel.   In Music, Valerie writes both as a singer/songwriter, and as a serious musician. Her songs and instrumentals can be heard on www.fearlessthemusical.com and on www.soundcloud/valerieconnelly. As a performer, she sings and plays piano, and occasionally guitar, to present her songs in a more personal way than in the fully produced and orchestrated versions on her websites. Visit these sites to see live action video of performances, to listen to her songs, and to get the latest info on her performances and projects.    

M.A. in French Literature, Adding Wisdom Best of 2006 Award for her illustrated children's book Arthur, the Christmas Elf, five-time recipient Who's Who in American Teachers Award (1980-2005) Lake County Illinois Teacher of the Year 2004, ASCAP composer since 1987, publisher of several award-winning titles by American authors.