I'm a former second-grade teacher and the author of four young adult books. I was a late bloomer--didn't start writing until after I retired. My first novel, Letters in the Attic, won a Lambda Literary Award and then went on to be published in Chinese and Italian. My third book, The Private Thoughts of Amelia E. Rye, was a 2011 Best Book for YA and received two starred reviews. You Know What You Have To Do will be published in March. I'm thrilled that it's already received nice endorsements:"I wish--oh, how I wish--that I'd written this myself!" --Lois Duncan"Dexter meets Judy Blume!" --Ellen Bass"This is a thriller: fast-paced, bold, and raw" --Tim Wynne-Jones"Frightening and Poignant" --Lesley Kagen"It's a fast-moving tale with an engagingly complex protagonist." --Kirkus"Is this American Psycho for teens?" --Booklist I'm lucky to have discovered a second career. It's so exciting to know that people I've never met are reading my words. My cocker spaniel, Matilda, helps me by listening as I read the day's work aloud to her. She doesn't give much feedback, though.