Janie's lifelong fascination with children’s books includes a B.A. in English literature from the University of South Carolina and intensive studies in juvenile literature at Emory University in Atlanta. She has worked as a reporter for newspapers including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Greenville (SC) News, and as a speechwriter for the government of Taiwan. She is the author of three nationally reviewed books, most recently The New Magic Bookshelf: Finding Great Books Your Child Will Treasure Forever, a 10th Anniversary edition of the original The Magic Bookshelf.

Since its initial publication, The Magic Bookshelf has become a staple on home and library shelves across the country, even traveling as far as Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, and South America. It has appeared as a series of excerpts in The Los Angeles Times Book Review and been featured in premier parenting resources including Parenting's Baby Talk magazine and Positive Parenting, a national radio show hosted by "Mr. Dad," Armin Brott. The Magic Bookshelf has been a selection for several high-profile book clubs and won a Writer's Digest publishing award.