Biography - Betty Brandt Passick

Betty Brandt Passick is an independent author, inspirational speaker, and teacher. She grew up in the small town of Fairbank, Iowa, where few people would expect the idea for a gangster series, yet this is where she drew inspiration for her premier historical crime novel, Gangster in Our Midst, Bookkeeper, Lieutenant, and Sometimes Hitman for Al Capone (2017), using a unique cross-genre that utilizes elements of fiction and nonfiction. During the pandemic, she returned to “Oxbow” to write The Black Bag of Dr. Wiltse, Murder on the Prairie (2021), which tells an earlier piece of the gangster story. Both novels have won Indie Book awards. A third novel in the series will follow by year-end 2024. Betty launched her career as an author a decade ago after retiring from a Fortune 500 company. In addition to her novels, she’s published two substantial memorials. Her poems, short stories, and novellas have appeared in numerous anthologies and magazines. She writes a “Gangster Blog,” a column for her hometown newspaper — and in October 2024 will host the “1st annual Gangster Tour”, wherein costumed characters will show attendees around the area highlighting scenes from Gangster in our Midst. She writes for her hometown newspaper, the Fairbank Islander, plus enjoys teaching writing classes based on years of writing experience—business and as an author. In 2023 she launched the annual Wapsie Writing Contest to encourage adults, teens, and children (in particular) to write creatively. She’s a member of several mystery crime writers’ organizations. She has a BA degree in Public Relations with studies in Radio, TV, and Radio. Betty is married and she and her husband enjoy rescuing Bichon Frise dogs (though truth be told, the dogs rescue them).

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