Brookdale Alumna Joan Ross Raleigh Honored for Debut Romance Novel

From part-time student to published author Joan Ross Raleigh proves it’s never too late to follow your dreams.

Brookdale Community College alumna Joan Ross Raleigh, Class of 1991, has published her first romance novel under the pen name Joan Esser. Titled The Marriage Matrix, the book was released by The Wild Rose Press and has already earned distinction as a finalist in the New Jersey Romance Writers’ prestigious Golden Leaf Contest in two categories—Contemporary Romance and First Book.

Joan’s path to authorship didn’t follow the traditional route. She began her studies at Brookdale in her forties while working full-time, taking one course at a time and graduating with honors nearly eight years later. “While I was not the typical college student, college enriched my life as much, or more, than it enriched any teenager,” she shared. A generous tuition reimbursement program at her job made it possible for her to continue—she paid only for her first class.

She majored in English, drawn to the written word and its power to move people emotionally. “I wanted to have the ability to make readers laugh, cry, learn, or be inspired,” she said. Two journalism courses at Brookdale led her to a role as a part-time stringer for the Asbury Park Press, where she sharpened her skills in concise, fact-based reporting.

During her orientation at the Press, she was given a tour of the newsroom by editor Jody Calendar—wife of former popular professor and administrator Dr. Carl Calendar. Jody made a lasting impression when she emphasized that local issues, such as zoning laws, could be just as impactful as national news. “Anyone awakened at 4 a.m. by the rooster next door can attest to that,” Joan recalled.

Those early reporting experiences helped Joan land an editorial role for her company’s internal newsletter, profiling employees and chronicling the company’s 75-year history.

It was Brookdale’s writing classes, however, that sparked her passion for fiction. She joined the Monmouth Writers Group and later the New Jersey Romance Writers, where she found her creative community and began learning the structure, pacing, and emotional depth that define the romance genre.

Although it took several attempts and years of dedication, Joan persevered. The Marriage Matrix follows a marriage-minded scientist whose plans are upended by a charming detective, blending humor, heat, and heart—a formula romance fans adore.

The book’s success has taken Joan full circle. Recently, she gave a talk about her novel and her writing process to the ChitChat group in her local community, crediting the public speaking skills she developed at Brookdale. “The ladies laughed at my stories, and I got a very good review,” she said.

Joan remains deeply grateful for her time at Brookdale and credits the college with giving her the foundation to pursue her writing career. “It’s a great school, and I have fond memories of my classes and teachers. Brookdale put me on the path to becoming a novelist.”

The The Marriage Matrix is available at Amazon (Kindle), iTunes (books), and Barnes & Noble Nook.