Avi
Avi was given his name by his twin sister, not his parents. Not a particularly good student in high school, he flunked out of his first school. In his second school, the English teacher told Avi’s parents that Avi, “was the worst student he ever had.” By way of revenge, Avi decided to become a successful writer and has now published some eighty-two books. That is serious revenge.
He lives in a log house in the middle of a forest, about a mile and a half up among the mountains. The snow lasts from September until June. He does not like snow. His nearest neighbors are not people but deer, elk, fox, bears, coyotes, skunk, ermine, pine martins, mountain lions, chipmunks and, every once in a while, a porcupine. He has noted some forty-five different kinds of birds at his bird feeder. His favorite bird is a Stiller Jay, which looks like a punk rocker. Writing Workshop How to Become a Good Writer. Writing is something one learns to do. Avi will point out ways to learn, things to do, things not to do. Student should bring questions as to their writing challenges. Featured Books Gold Rush Girl, Unexpected Life of Oliver Cromwell Pitts, The End of the World and Beyond, The Most Important Thing, The Button War. 
Tracey Baptiste
Tracey once created a library in her own home in the hope that people would bring back their books late and she would be rich! Rich I tell you!!! Tracey is also a former dancer and still takes ballet class at least once a week. She learned to fly a twin-engine Cessna at age 16.
Writing Workshop The Plot Thickens: Writers will examine several different story structures, and will pull apart one particular story structure as a group, then create a story using that structure on their own. Featured Books The Jumbies, Rise of the Jumbies, The Jumbie God's Revenge, Minecraft: The Crash, Angel's Grace (all MS) 
Charles Beacham
If you'd asked me when I was 15 what I was going to be when I grew up I would have told you with full confidence that I was going to be a rockstar. I am not a rockstar. But I do have a pretty cool job.
I'm comic book editor (yep, I worked for Marvel), I make video games, and I'm currently writing my first novel. Star Wars is my life. I'm the oldest of eight kids and even as an adult I still tease and argue with my youngest brother (he's 8). My wife has to remind me to quiet down when we're out in public because I get really loud when I'm excited. Writing Workshop Plot vs. Character: What Drives You? The best stories have both incredible characters and an unforgettable plot, but which comes first? We'll explore the differences between plot-driven and character-driven stories, how the two work together, and determine which style of storytelling you favor. Featured Books __ 
Phil BildneR
I have three full-time jobs -- an author's life isn't all glamorous!
I've been to the Super Bowl, the World Series, and the NBA Finals I've been bitten by a lion. I was at Dave Chappelle's Block Party. I have a dog named cat. Well, a pitbull rescue dog named Katniss that we call Kat. Writing Workshop Creating Characters: How to create layered and realistic characters. Featured Books A HIGH FIVE FOR GLENN BURKE (MS) releasing on February 25, 2020; The Rip and Red Series: A WHOLE NEW BALLGAME (#1), ROOKIE OF THE YEAR (#2), TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS (#3), MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS (#4) 
Karen Blumenthal
One of the highlights of my childhood was winning a bubblegum blowing contest on a summer vacation. I still chew bubblegum (sugarfree, now) and blow bubbles, especially when I'm writing.
When I was in high school, I worked at Kentucky Fried Chicken. I smelled so horrible when I got home from each shift that my family made me change clothes in a screened-in porch before I could enter the house. Despite that traumatizing experience, I still love fried chicken. I started out in journalism hoping to be a sports writer, but then realized that being a fan was much more fun. I'm a hopeless Dallas sport fan, and I still love journalism and nonfiction. Writing Workshop What Do You Already Know? Nonfiction is about facts and finding the truth, but even before you start your research you can make some educated guesses that will help you get going. Using photos related to Steve Jobs or Bonnie & Clyde, you'll take a stab at what you know and can infer about them--and figure out how to move forward. Featured Books Jane Against the World: Roe v. Wade and the Fight for Reproductive Rights will be out Feb 4, 2020 (MS/HS) Bonnie and Clyde: The Making of a Legend; Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different 
David Bowles
As a childhood, David Loved the magical tales of his grandmother, Marie Garza, till she convinced him a monster claw was hiding in the toilet, traumatizing him for years! Because of his family’s roots in Mexico, he has traveled all over that country, visiting the ruins of ancient cities, studying native folklore, indigenous languages, and tales of strange creatures like the chupacabras. He also plays several musical instruments and sings (though not very well, which probably keeps the monsters away).
Writing Workshop It's Who and Where I Am: Rooting Author Voices in Place and Identity. David Bowles will guide attendees through activities that help them draw from their cultural and regional identities to craft story and voice. Featured Books The Chupacabras of the Rio Grande (MS), They Call Me Güero (MS/HS) 
MArtha
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Alex Gino
Alex Gino loves glitter, ice cream, gardening, awe-ful puns, and stories that reflect the diversity and complexity of being alive. In April 2016, they bought an RV and put their books and furniture in storage for what became an 18-month road trip through 44 states. They are now happily settled back in Oakland, California, where they enjoy level floors and indoor plumbing.
Writing Workshop This session will begin with a discussion of character development and the link between characters and plot. We will then address the challenges of writing characters who don't act and think exactly like us. Participants should expect to engage in written brainstorming and a 10 minute directed writing exercise. Warning: Revelations of self-discovery have been known to happen at this workshop. Also, raucous laughter. Revelations not guaranteed. Featured Books George (MS) You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P! (MS) Rick (MS) - releases in April 2020 
Shannon Greenland
Shannon Greenland (aka S. E. Green) dreaded reading and writing as a kid. So the fact she's a writer still baffles her. She also teaches Geometry, Algebra, and Calculus proving that you can use both sides of the brain. Every year she challenges herself to do something new. This year that was paddle boarding with sharks! She also eats entirely too many chips. Too, she has a very grouchy dog.
Writing Workshop Tools To Strengthen Your Novel: *Words To Watch For *Scene Check List *Character Q&A Featured Books SCOUTS (MS), T-MINUS (YA), KILLER INSTINCT (YA) 
Shelli R. Johannes__
Writing Workshop __ Featured Books Untraceable, Uncontrollable, Unstoppable, Rewired (all self published); Cece Loves Science, Cece Loves Science and Adventure (Harpercollins) 
Kazu kibuishiKazu Kibuishi is a writer and illustrator who spends much of his time washing dishes and cleaning up after his two wonderful kids. In the quieter moments in his life, he has managed to create the Amulet graphic novel series.
Writing Workshop I will discuss the development of the Amulet graphic novels and speak about the long road to becoming a professional author and illustrator. Featured Books Amulet 1: The Stonekeeper Amulet 2: The Stonekeeper’s Curse Amulet 3: The Cloud Searchers Amulet 4: The Last Council Amulet 5: Prince of the Elves Amulet 6: Escape From Lucien Amulet 7: Firelight (All ages) 
torrey maldonado__
Writing Workshop __ Featured Books __ 
Beth Revis
Beth Revis is barely human before coffee, and is perhaps best known for preferring puppies to most people. She writes during the night and plays DND during the evening--once, her character was nearly killed by a particularly malicious carpet. When in doubt, she blows things up (in her books, not real life)(probably).
Writing Workshop Seeing the World through Your Character's Eyes: Creating Stories with Voice Featured Books Give the Dark My Love (HS) Across the Universe (HS) Rebel Rising A World Without You (MS/HS) 
Tara Sim
Tara Sim is the author of SCAVENGE THE STARS (Disney-Hyperion, 2020) and the Timekeeper trilogy who can typically be found wandering the wilds of the Bay Area, California. When she’s not chasing cats or lurking in bookstores, she writes books about magic, clocks, and explosions. Follow her on Twitter at @EachStarAWorld, and check out her website for fun extras at tarasim.com.
Writing Workshop Worldbuilding as Its Own Character: How to create a world for your SFF stories, how it factors into plot, and how it helps to shape your protagonists (and villains!). Featured Books SCAVENGE THE STARS (HS) Timekeeper Trilogy: Timekeeper Chainbreaker Firestarter 
Andrew Smith
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Writing Workshop __ Featured Books __ 
Margaret Stohl
Margaret Stohl is a cat person who sings fake opera, shuns melty ice cream, and gags at the sight of a single hair in a sink.
Writing Workshop "A BOOK IS JUST 30 THINGS" Does a book seem like an impossibly big thing to you? Do you want to write a book but always run out of ideas after the second page? Sometimes the hardest slash most important part of writing a book happens before you even start writing. In this class you will learn how to make a one page outline that will help get you past page three, and show you that a book is actually just a small thing. Featured Books Life of Captain Marvel (all MS/HS) Mighty Captain Marvel: Alien Nation Mighty Captain Marvel: Band of Sisters Mighty Captain Marvel: Dark Origins Beautiful Creatures (YA) Black Widow books (YA) Icons books (YA) Royce Rolls (YA 
Tamara Ireland StoneTAMARA IRELAND STONE is an award-winning and New York Times bestselling author who spent nearly two decades in the technology industry before she began writing middle grade and young adult fiction. She feels extremely lucky to say she's had two careers she's loved. Her young adult titles include EVERY LAST WORD, LITTLE DO WE KNOW, TIME BETWEEN US, and TIME AFTER TIME; and her middle grade series includes CLICK’D and SWAP’D. All her books tap into her personal interests and passions. Inside the pages, you’ll find that she loves pop culture and music (especially live music), is fascinated with time travel, firmly believes in the healing power of the written word, wants to inspire kids—especially girls—to pursue science and technology, and is fiercely dedicated to changing the way people think about mental health. She loves being outdoors, burns everything she cooks, and is rarely bored.
Writing Workshop TBD Featured Books LITTLE DO WE KNOW (HS), EVERY LAST WORD (MS/HS), CLICK'D (MS), SWAP'D (MS) 
Kristin Tubb
In sixth grade, Kristin O'Donnell Tubb interviewed her favorite author - Madeleine L'Engle! (you know, the woman who wrote A WRINKLE IN TIME?!) - by telephone. Kristin told Ms. L'Engle that she wanted to be a writer, too, and Ms. L'Engle replied, "Good for you! Keep reading and you can do it!" And so Kristin tried. She published a terrible haiku called "The Weeping Willow" in seventh grade, and kept many, many awful journals. But with lots of reading and writing practice, she got a little better. Kristin lives near Nashville with her bouncy-loud family, and like her three dogs, she can be bribed with cheese.
Writing Workshop "Everyone's A Writer!" This session discusses a wide variety of storytelling, and shows students they're already using techniques and tactics that professional writers use: texting is writing dialogue, making to-do lists is like writing a first draft, and rereading a favorite story is revising - we reread a story for further understanding of theme and evolving emotion. In this workshop, we will participate in interactive storytelling, and then students will be given some tools to begin an "emoji graphic novel" of their own. In "Everyone's a Writer," we discuss how emphasizing craft over construction encourages EVERY writer to share his/her unique voice. I share WHY this is important by sharing my favorite quote: "Until the lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter." Featured Books The Story Seeker (MS), The Story Collector (MS), A Dog Like Daisy (MS), John Lincoln Clem: Civil War Drummer Boy (MS), The 13th Sign (MS) 
Katy Upperman
Katy Upperman is a graduate of Washington State University and a former elementary school teacher. When Katy was in high school, she was more interested in books than dating, swam twice daily and, as a result, smelled constantly of chlorine, and danced onstage at a Korn concert -- wearing a lavender Polo shirt. Katy is the author of KISSING MAX HOLDEN, THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF US, and HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN.
Writing Workshop First Words For Teen Writers: Learn to appropriately critique a story in this interactive workshop. Participants are encouraged to submit their writing via email in advance, and YA author Katy Upperman will critique the first 250 words at the workshop. Works will be critiqued anonymously and with respect, so young writers can feel safe in submitting their stories. Attendees will leave the workshop knowing how to appropriately and respectfully critique their peers' work. Any pieces that are not critiqued during the session, due to time, will be returned with feedback to the author. Featured Books The Impossibility of Us (MS/HS) How the Light Gets In (upper MS/HS) |
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WE ARE A PUGET SOUND YOUNG WRITERS WORKSHOP DEDICATED TO PROVIDING SECONDARY STUDENTS AN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE WITH THE AUTHORS THEY READ. |