Nancy's Web Page |

Hi, my name is Nancy Carty-Lepri.

Grab a cup of tea or a Pepsi, find a comfy spot and I’ll tell you about myself.

I was born August 16, 1950, in Boston, MA, weighing in at only 3 lbs. 12 ounces. My mom said I looked like a plucked chicken, but you should see me now!

My home was in Norwood, about fifteen miles south of Boston, and I lived with my dad, Henry Carty, mom, Emily, older brother, Chuck, and maternal grandmother, Mary Bauman. We always had an assortment of furry critters too.

Norwood High School was where I graduated in 1968, a day earlier than scheduled, due to the assassination of Bobby Kennedy. From there I attended Mt. Ida Jr. College—a small girl’s school in nearby Newton Centre and studied Fine Art. Unfortunately, I never completed my degree. When I started dating my husband, Art, my Mom joked I went to college for art and ended up marrying him! (In case you didn’t guess, my Mom is quite funny as well as being one of my closest friends.)

Our wedding on September 4, 1971 was probably the hottest day of the year, but was wonderful.

(Here I am with my Dad. Was I young, or what?)

We were blessed on July 3, 1973, by the birth of our daughter, Danielle.

That November we moved to Florida where we lived for six years until 1979, when Art was transferred to Louisiana to be distribution manager for Sexton Foods. LaPlace, LA was our home for five years when homesickness beckoned us back to MA.

We settled on Cape Cod near my parents and at age thirty-eight, I had a midlife crisis. Working as a secretary for the Hyannis Fire Department, I felt something missing, so I returned to school part time.

I attended Cape Cod Community College, graduating in 1992 with an AA degree in Visual Art. I also changed jobs and to become an editorial manager for a small publisher. I considered becoming a professional student, but economics wouldn’t allow it.

In 1995, I completed my BA degree from Western New England College. Now, I knew what I wanted to do when I grew up! I wanted to write and illustrate. Loving books since I left the womb, I also think I came into the world with a crayon in my hand.

Freelance writing assignments came my way in 1992 where I got my first taste of tapping into my creativity.

November 1995 found us relocating yet again, this time to Wilmington, NC. Having lived in the same home for twenty-one years until I married, I think the moves since make up for having been in one place. That and the fact that my husband must have some gypsy blood!

Almost from the beginning, I attained freelance writing assignments and soon decided to settle down to write a book. “Tiny Angels,” a children’s chapter book is presently looking for a home with a publisher.

In 2002, I had an article and spot illustrations published in "Crumbs in the Keyboard," a book similar to the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series.

Also, I’ve illustrated children’s’ books, available through ChildrensZbooks publisher.

My dear friend, Marie Havenga, from Grand Rapids, MI and I collaborated on the book, “Against the Current” of which she supplied the text and I supplied full-color illustrations. This was distributed among the fifth-grade students in the Grand Rapids school system, and we one day hope will go national.

Meanwhile I’ve published articles for international food-industry magazines, taught online courses on article writing and drawing, hosted an AOL message board on illustrating, and begun writing a romance and a mainstream novel, which I hope to get published in my lifetime.

My many interests include reading, writing, drawing, and spending time with my family and friends and my very spoiled feline, Tommy. Isn't he adorable?

Please feel free to drop me a note to say HI and introduce yourself. I always enjoy hearing from new people, so I’ll put the kettle on for tea and bring out the Chips Ahoy and we can have a nice chat.

Affaire de Coeur

I'm happy to announce I'm a reviewer for "Affaire de Coeur" magazine, under the pen name of my beloved mother, Emily Carty. Please check out the web site for great reviews and fantastic articles...