Janie Franz still calls herself a Southerner (she was born in Tennessee) though she has spent more than half her life living in North Dakota. She holds a degree in anthropology, has been a radio announcer, and did booking and publicity for a jam/funk band. Her work has appeared in newspapers, magazines, and online, both in this country and overseas. She has written about everything, but specializes in entertaining, food, and wine. She has co-written two books with Texas wedding DJ, Bill Cox, The Ultimate Wedding Ceremony Book and The Ultimate Wedding Reception Book.

She has been happily married to a singer/songwriter for over three decades. They have a daughter who is an artist and married to an animator, and a son who is the executive chef at The Toasted Frog, a martini bistro, and plays drums with local bands.

16 years 12 months