Books

Let her pick your next book

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 28, 2007

Colette Bancroft, a St. Petersburg Times staff writer, has been named the Times' book editor.

Bancroft grew up in Tampa and earned a bachelor's degree in English at the University of South Florida and a master's degree in literature from the University of Florida. She did doctoral work at USF and taught English there and at the University of Tampa and University of Arizona.

She was on the staff of the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson for nine years, where she was book editor, entertainment editor and restaurant critic.

As a writer and copy editor for the Times since 1997, Bancroft has interviewed authors, served as an editor of the annual Festival of Reading special section and reviewed numerous books for the book pages.

"Colette has read everything from Joyce to Pynchon, but she's no snob," said Mike Wilson, assistant managing editor/Newsfeatures. "She can write smartly about the finest literature one day, then turn around and write just as well about Harry Potter or Dr. Seuss."

Bancroft lives in Bradenton with her husband, John, and 43 yards of bookshelves. She can be reached at 727 893-8435 or bancroft@sptimes.com

[Last modified January 25, 2007, 12:49:36]