There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
~ Emily Dickinson
| JOYCE MCDONALD |
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Greetings, Book Lovers! | |
| I welcome every opportunity to meet and talk with people who share my passion for books, whether it's one-on-one over a cup of tea or a thousand-to-one in a large auditorium.
My books explore the ethical and moral consequences of my characters' choices and are on many middle grade and high school reading lists. These stories often lead to interesting discussions in the classroom. It's fun to be a part of those sessions, and I enjoy participating in after-school book club talks. I love to nurture new talent almost as much as I love to write books. Tomorrow's authors are in today's classrooms. Whether in a small after-school writers group or in the classroom as a writer-in-residence, I'm always available to teach creative writing to aspiring authors. For more information, visit me at www.joycemcdonald.net. |
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Author Visits and Speaking Engagments Standard Program: Through my PowerPoint presentation, I share a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a professional writer--the real-life events that inspired my stories and the creative influences. I also offer an informative talk on how students can develop their own creative writing skills. A question and answer period follows. A one-day school visits usually include three assembly presentations. Autographing sessions and individual classroom visits can be arranged as time allows. My standard program is flexible. I'm happy to adjust it to meet the needs of your students. I'm also available to run writing workshops in your classrooms. Writing Workshops: For over fifteen years I've had the pleasure of nurturing the talent of hundreds of aspiring writers . I taught creative writing at Drew University for nine years, and currently I am on the faculty of the Brief-residency MFA in Writing Program at Spalding University. I'm available to run writing workshops for both adults and children. Workshops are designed to teach aspiring writers the basic elements of fiction writing (characterization, plotting, pacing, etc.) while helping writers to enhance their creative potential. I'm also available for writer-in-residence programs in your school. General Speaking Engagements: I enjoy speaking at conferences and special book-related events, and serving on panels. My topics vary, depending on the program. Click here for more information and my fees.
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| Devil on My Heels |
Shades of Simon Gray Delacorte/Laurel Leaf |
Shadow People Delacorte/Laurel Leaf |
Swallowing Stones Delacorte/Laurel Leaf |
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Check your library for other books by Joyce McDonald: "Transfusion" (a short story). Don't Cramp My Style (Simon and Schuster, edited by Lisa Fraustino) ..............................................................................................................
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Honors and Awards
Devil on My Heels
- A Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, 2004
- A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, 2005 and 2006
- Sequoyah Young Adult Book Award Master List, 2006-2007
- Heartland Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature Finalist, 2006
- South Carolina Young Adult Book Award Nominee, 2006-2007
- Volunteer State Book Award Nominee, 2006-2007
- Missouri Gateway Readers Award Nominee, 2006-2007
Shades of Simon Gray
- Edgar Allan Poe Award Nominee, 2002
- A YALSA Best Book for Young Adults, American Library Association, 2002
- Featured in Seventeen
- A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, 2002
- A VOYA Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Book (2001)
- South Carolina Young Adult Book Award Nominee, 2003-2004
- Oklahoma Sequoyah Children's Book Award Nominee, 2003-2004
- TAYSHAS High School Reading List, 2002-2003
Shadow People
- A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, 2001
- TAYSHAS High School Reading List, 2002-2003
- Starred Review, The Book Report (highly recommended)
Swallowing Stones
- A YALSA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults, American Library Association, 1997
- A YALSA Popular Paperback for Young Adults, 2003
- A YALSA 100 Best of the Best for the 21st Century-1994-2003, 2005
- A One Book New Jersey Selection, 2006
- A Bank Street College Best Book of the Year, 1997
- A Voice of Youth Advocates Outstanding Title of the Year, 1998
- A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, 1998
- Maine Student Book Award Nominee, 1998-1999
- Texas Lone Star Reading List, 1999
- Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award Nominee, 1999-2000
- Oklahoma Sequoyah Young Adult Book Award Nominee, 1999-2000
- TAYSHAS High School Reading List, 1999-2000
- Utah Children's Book Award Nominee, 2000
- The Best of the Texas Lone Star Reading Lists, 2000
- Arizona Young Readers Award Nominee, 2000- 2001
Comfort Creek
- Starred Review, School Library Journal, 1996
- Pointer Review, Kirkus Reviews, 1996
- Georgia Children's Book Award Nominee, 1999-2000
Mail-Order Kid
- An International Reading Association/Children's Book Council Children's Choice Book
- A Weekly Reader Book Club Selectin