This month, our writer elves have all been busy putting together our 2016 Inklings Book! Mentors have been workshopping with the contest winners and editorial letters are being written to all of our applicants. In this month’s Ink Splat we wanted to feature the judges that helped us make this year’s Inklings Book possible. These judges are authors that inspire us, and in turn, they were inspired by you, our young writers!
The Challenge: A Peak Into the Future
It’s the year 2036 and you are a published children’s author, just like our friends spotlighted below. We want to read your official author biography! Your tone can be serious or funny, it can be long or short. Here are some questions to think about: What kinds of books have you written? How many? Have you won any awards? Where do you live? Do you have any children? Any other jobs? What are your favorite hobbies as an adult? Do you like to drink lots of coffee now that you’re grown up? If you need more ideas, you can click the authors’ website links below for more examples.
Submit your response HERE!
Our 2016 Inklings Book Judges
Mandy Davis
We cannot wait to read Mandy Davis’ upcoming book, Superstar about a science-loving 10-year-old boy who transitions from homeschool to public school for the first time. Before being bitten by the writing bug, Mandy was an elementary school teacher, a record store clerk, and once she even sold hamburgers on the sidewalk. She currently writes, games, sings (and lives) in Minneapolis, MN. You can visit her website and find out more at ubermandy.com.
Jennifer Fosberry
Jennifer Fosberry’s Isabella books inspire our imaginations to run away with us just like the title character’s. You can hear Isabella: Star of the Story read aloud at Jennifer’s website. Jennifer is a science geek turned children’ book writer. After working in the high tech industry in Silicon Valley and running away to Costa Rica for a few years, she returned to the San Francisco Bay area to read, write, and try to get out of housework. She lives with her husband and three children and her little dog, too.
Marilyn Hilton
Marilyn Hilton’s most recent YA book is Full Cicada Moon. The story takes place in 1969 and follows a young girl of mixed heritage who wants to become an astronaut. Marilyn is the author of two novels and two nonfiction books. She has also published numerous articles, devotions, short stories, and poems in literary and consumer magazines, and has contributed to various compilations. Her work has won several awards including the Sue Alexander Award for 2011. You can learn more at her website, www.marilynhilton.com.
Tim McCanna
Tim McCanna has two new books coming next year, Water Song and Jack B. Ninja. We know they won’t disappoint! His first children’s book, Teeny Tiny Trucks was called “a delightful story” and “a clever rhyming adventure” by Kirkus Reviews. Tim has been an actor, musician, musical theatre writer, graphic designer and dad. Now, he’s combining all those experiences into being a writer for children. You can see more from Tim at TimMcCanna.com.
Laura Ruby
Laura Ruby has written for kids, teens, and adults. Last year she released a teen thriller titled Bone Gap about a kidnapping in a small town. Born in the Midwest and raised in suburban Wayne, New Jersey, Laura Ruby is the daughter of a psychologist and a cop. This means that she is both nosy and deeply suspicious. She is currently on the faculty of Hamline University’s Masters in Writing for Children Program. You can visit her website here.
David Shannon
David Shannon is a prolific children’s author and illustrator. We love is series of books about a little boy named David who can’t seem to stay out of trouble. David liked to draw as soon as he could hold a crayon. He went to Hutton Elementary school where his teachers soon realized that if they let David draw murals it would keep him from disrupting class and their classroom would have some pretty good art on the walls, too. David has written and/or illustrated over 35 books for children. He lives in Los Angeles with his Wife, Heidi and his daughter, Emma. You can learn more about David’s work at www.nodavidshannon.com.
Thanks again to our judges! We can’t wait to share the final product at the end of the Summer.
One final thing… The Inklings Book wouldn’t be possible without our sponsors, either! Thank you to San Benito Realty, True Leaf Farms, and Joe and Glenda Zanger.
