Toniann Guadagnoli was born and raised in Mt. Vernon, New York. Her family moved to Mahopac, NY in 1986 and she graduated from Mahopac High School. She attended college at SUNY Stony Brook and finished with a  Bachelor's Degree in English. She started out in the corporate world as an Editorial Assistant for a division of Addison-Wesley Publishing Company in White Plains, New York. After a year of sending out countless rejection letters to would-be authors, she was promoted to Associate Editor and then to Project Editor. In the 4 years that she worked for the company, now called Pearson Education, she was credited with editing over 25 books. While working there full-time, she went back to school at night and obtained her Master's Degree in Education from Long Island University's Westchester Campus. She is certified to teach both High School English and Elementary Education (K-6).

     When her division of Pearson relocated, she opted to utilize her education degrees. She worked as a 3rd grade teacher in Mohegan, NY for one year. After having her first child in 2000, she decided to be a stay-at-home mom, but continued editing on a freelance basis. While home with her son, Nicholas, she began writing children's stories in hopes of one day becoming a published author. In 2001, she started submitting her writing pieces to publishing companies. It was then that she got to feel what it was like to be on the receiving end of those countless rejection letters! This was definitely a case where it was much easier "to give than to receive!"

     Her first "published" piece was posted on a writer's website (that is no longer in existence). It was an article explaining her experiences as an Editor. She received a whopping $10 for the piece! Obviously this writing thing wasn't going to make her rich, but at least she loved doing it.

     In 2003, she submitted one of her stories, Chitter Chatter, to the (ADG) American Dream Group's Children's Story Writing Contest. Her story won 1st place in their contest. She received a monetary award and a contract from ADG with a promise to have Chitter Chatter illustrated and published.

     She has since become a member of the Gulf Coast Authors. This Pensacola-based group attends all of the area festivals and events to promote books that have been written by local authors. ToniAnn also joined the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators).

     ToniAnn's combined love of cooking and writing led her to write a cookbook in 2006. Recipes & Remembrances: A Chef in Every Family's Kitchen is dedicated to her grandparents who have taught her everything there is to know about making delicious Italian food!

     When she is not writing or cooking, ToniAnn spends her days doing her motherly duties. She is a member of the Pace/Milton Moms Club. She is also the webmaster for St. Mary's Episcopal Church. ToniAnn enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and fishing with her husband, Dominic.