She has written Sunday School curriculum, edited a two-year series of mission curriculum, and her works have appeared in five program-material anthologies. Her publishers include Zondervan, Standard Publishing, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Fleming-Revell, Barbour Publishing, Kregel Publications, and Steeple Hill (inspirational imprint of Silhouette). She has had 3 non-fiction books published, and 17 fiction works.

Her first inspirational romance was published in 1984.

In 1990 Mrs. Brand retired after 23 years of teaching in public schools to devote full time to freelance writing. She is married to Rod Brand.

Education:
AB Degree in Secondary Education in the fields of Social Studies and French; Master's Degree in History, plus 15 hours beyond the MA - all received at Marshall University, Huntington, WV.

Awards:

• General Federation of Women's Clubs West Virgina presented the 2001 Celebrate Women Award to Irene B. Brand for Outstanding Accomplishments in the category of ARTS.
  
• West Virginia Women's Commission proclaimed Irene B. Brand 1st Runner Up in the category of ARTS in their 2001 Celebrate Women Awards."
  
• Mason County Teacher of the Year 1973-74
  
• West Virginia DAR History Teacher of the Year, 1984
  
• Inspirational Romance Loving Cup Award of Excellence, Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference, 1986 for historical novel, WHERE MORNING DAWNS
  Annual Koala Award for a historical novel, Christian Writers Fellowship, 1991, THE HILLS ARE CALLING
  Annual JUG (Just Uncommonly Good Writing) Award, annual conference, West Virginia Writers, Inc., June, 1997.

Irene's Links :

http://www.christianscoop.com/interviews/author/b/brand.htm

http://www.christianauthorsnetwork.com

CAN Blog

Spirit & Heart: A Devotional Journey (Irene contributes devotions to this ministry)

Irene's Organizations:

Harmony Baptist Church
Romance Writers of America
FHL Chapter of RWA
West Virginia Writers, Inc.
Christian Writers Fellowship, International
American Christian Fiction Writers
National Education Association (NEA)

Irene and Connie Troyer, Summerside Press editor
ICRS, Denver
July 13, 2009

Rachel Meisel (Summerside Press editor), Irene, Susan Downs (Summerside Press editor)

Irene signing  at ICRS, Denver
July 13, 2009

Irene talking to Loretta Sorensen, a freelance writer, who was interviewing her for publication in two Nebraska newspapers at Bull Bash Day, Valentine, Nebraska's annual Valentine Celebration

Irene and author friend, Camy Tang
July 13, 2009

Carol Browning watches as Irene signs a copy of Love Finds You in Valentine, Nebraska, a Summerside Press book at a December 2 , 2008 booksigning, Willa's Bible Book Store, Point Pleasant, WV

A young man chats with Irene about her writing and
family background. at Bull Bash Day, Valentine,
Nebraska's annual Valentine Celebration, where she
was the guest author

Alice Giles, Gallipolis, Ohio, bought books for herself and a sister. Willa's Bible Book Store, Point Pleasant, WV

Alma Stauffer, (also of Ohio) left, has recently discovered Irene's books, and she brought her pastor, Catherine Loxley, with her to the booksigning.

Standing Gail Martin
Seated    (l-r)  Irene Brand, Lyn Cote

Miralee Farrell and Irene Brand

(l-r)  Irene Brand, Debby Mayne

Irene Brand and Lyn Cote

Irene Brand (left) Southern Kentucky Book Fair, April 19, 2008, chatting with a man who brought his two grandchildren to the fair to interest them in reading.

At a booksigning, St. Clairsville, Ohio, 10/27/2007
Pamela and Robert (husband and wife)
buying an autographed book.

ACFW conference, 9/2007
Nadine Smith (left) is a faithful reader, and I'm on the right.

Participants in a Late Night Chat at ACFW, 9/2007, speaking on the subject, "Why We Write for Steeple Hill"
Standing (l-r) Lenora Worth; Irene Brand
Seated (l-r) Margaret Daley, Debbie Clopton

Irene Brand, Lenora Worth on their way to the Awards Assembly, ACFW, 9/2007

Irene ( second from left) particiapted in a panel discussion at a meeting of Romance Authors at the Boyd County Public Library, Ashland, Kentucky, February 13, 2006.

Irene and Connie Roberts, a new reader,
Bossard Library, 12/10

Irene Brand and Joan Golan, Executive Editor of Steeple Hill, at ACRW conference, September, 2004

Mae Nunn, Margaret Daley, Irene Brand At book signing, 9/18/2004, ACRW conference, Denver

Irene Brand autographing her September,2001 book, Summer's Promise, Willa's Bible Book Shop, Point Pleasent, WV, 8/31/2001.

Irene signing copies of Song of Her Heart, (February, LI book) at the 2003 CBA Expo, Indianapolis, Indiana, January 29.

During their Celtic Discovery Tour of Ireland, September 6 - 20, Irene and her husband, Rod, visited many Celtic antiquities and historic sites, including the Gallarus Oratory, Dingle Penninsula, Dingle, Co. Kerry.