"What would this world be like without books & authors like you?"
Award-winning author and educator, MaryAnn Easley bases
her middle school novels on real life experiences of being in extreme
environments such as living in Iñupiat Arctic villages, and she
encourages young people to turn their own life struggles into stories.
"Write about what you know," she advises. "The best stories come from deep inside."
Three times chosen Teacher of the Year at her school site on Camp Pendleton Marine Base, she also received the Award of Excellence
from the Greater San Diego Reading Association. A former magazine
editor, she's the author of Miss Mary's SuperPhonics, Career Advantage,
and several Verbal Advantage learning courses for adults sold
nationwide. As a freelance writer, her articles appear in national and
regional newspapers and magazines.
A member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators,
PEN, Children's Literature Council and the Laguna Poets, she taught
school in California and Alaska, held after-school programs in
creative writing and fine arts for gifted students, and been an adjunct
professor in literature, integrated arts, and linguistics at the
university level.
Her young adult books include I Am the Ice Worm, Alone in the Ice World, Dog Woman, Belly Up, A Few Screws Loose, Looking Out for Lindy, and Warrior's Daughter.She is currently working on another novel that takes place in the Arctic.
"The best stories come from your own life and personal experiences. It gives any work of fiction verisimilitude. The story rings of truth and that kind of story will hook readers and keep them reading."
Comments:
"I just wanted to thank you again for speaking at our school. The kids really LOVED your presentation! My boys and I are enjoying I Am the Ice Worm. Your book is truly fabulous!" -School Librarian, Huntington Beach, CA
"MaryAnn Easley mesmerized the fourth and fifth graders with her experiences living in remote Eskimo villages above the Arctic Circle and then sparked their interest in writing. She is a marvelous presenter!" - San Diego County Office of Education
"Warrior's Daughter is your best book yet! I couldn't put it down. It really started a discussion with my language arts students. Thanks for coming to our school." - Woodland Hills, CA
"This author/speaker can deal with teen issues with sensitivity and compassion. She hooks her audience by relating some of her own personal struggles and adventures. An excellent teacher, she actively involves her listeners, brings interesting realia and gets students excited about reading and writing. Thank you for recommending MaryAnn Easley." - Event Coordinator, El Camino High School
"Your presentation was over the top. Thank you for speaking to our writing group and sharing your books and adventures." - Los Alamitos, CA
"Our fifth graders enjoyed your visit to our school. You gave them a lot of information about how to improve their writing and reinforced our state standards." - La Habra, CA
"Middle school students are following the famous Iditarod Race since becoming acquainted with you and your Arctic adventures. We're able to incorporate your literature through all curriculum strands and see renewed enthusiasm." - Julian, CA
"Marine families should read Warrior's Daughter. Everyone should read Warrior's Daughter. Especially now. Thanks!" - Oceanside, CA
Some Sample Engagements: AARP * California Retired Teachers * Sacramento Book Fair * Melody of Words Literacy Fair * Los Positas School * Del Cerro School * San Onofre School * Palos Verdes Mother-Daughter Book Club * AAUW * Seaview School * Mountain Empire School District * Circle View School * St. John's Lutheran School * Plavan School * El Camino High School * San Diego County Office of Education * Oceanside School District * Orange County Department of Education * Huntington Beach Author's Festival * Long Beach Author's Festival * Los Angeles Unified School District * San Diego Rural Schools * Fallbrook Union Elementary School District * Talbert Middle School * Harbor View School * Westminster Elementary School District* Orange Unified School District* Cerritos School District
Tips for New Writers: • Write what you know • Show rather than tell • Conflict moves the story forward • Develop characters through conflict • Use action verbs rather than passive ones • Avoid adverbs • Go easy on adjectives • Make every word count • Settings should enhance the story • Historical facts must be accurate • Protagonists have flaws as well as strengths • Antagonists have strengths as well as flaws • Characters have histories that make them who they are
