For my "summer fun" this year, I treated myself to a self-directed weekend-long writing retreat offered by SCBWI-Illinois. I used my time at Words by the Lake to revise the latest draft of my young adult historical novel set in eighteenth-century Italy. While there, I had the pleasure of catching up with my former student, Allan Woodrow. Seeing him reminded me that I wanted to interview him to celebrate the release of his humorous middle-grade novel The Rotten Adventures of Zachary Ruthless (HarperCollins). Here's a hint of the book's plot: Zachary would do anything to join the Society Of Utterly Rotten, Beastly And Loathsome Lawbreaking Scoundrels, the world's most horrible gang of super villains. So when Zachary hears SOURBALLS is looking for someone to join their nefarious gang, he jumps at the chance. Bwa-ha-ha!
If you read Esther's post about the First Time Authors' Panel at this year's Printers Row Lit Festival, you already know a little about Allan. And here's a bit more from the bio he sent me:
Growing up, Allan Woodrow was cursed with a boring, happy, and loving family, giving him nothing interesting to write about. He resented it for years. Allan eventually harnessed his feelings into his new children’s series, The Rotten Adventures of Zachary Ruthless (HarperCollins, ages 7-12) about the world’s most evil kid. Allan is also an advertising writer and Creative Director, and has written for TV and the stage. He currently works at the Chicago Tribune. Learn more at his website, and be sure to also check out his blog.Following the interview, you'll find instructions for how to enter for a chance to win an autographed copy of The Rotten Adventures of Zachary Ruthless. And for a good laugh, be sure to watch the book trailer at the end of this post.
Allan, you were a student in my one-day workshop, “Introduction to Writing for Children and Teens,” back in 2008 (or was it 2009?) What inspired you to sign up for that class? Do you recall any specific ways the class helped you?
13 Comments on Student Success Story Interview with Author Allan Woodrow and Book Giveaway, last added: 7/29/2011
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Carmela -
Thanks for sharing your interview with Allan! It was great reading about his process.
Jessica Wisniewski (aka: The Dorktastic DragonLady)
wisniewskijb (at) vvsd (dot) org
Thanks for your entry, Dorktastic DragonLady. Your supervillain name makes me smile. :-)
Thanks also to our first two email entrants--The Demasculator (now that's scary!) and Master-Mind.
I am entering for my 9-year-old who tells me her evil name is Burp Girl. God help me. ;)
Thanks!!!
Hi! Love the interview and my kids LOVE the book. Would like to enter my 8 year old son Shawn, we like to, lovingly, refer to him as TalkYourEarsOff Boy! :)
Thanks, Anastasia Ely
What a great idea, to enter for your kids, Megg and Anastasia. Good luck to Burp Girl and TalkYourEarsOff Boy!
Fantastic interview! I just picked up a copy from Barnes & Noble and read it to my son, Nate (who has declared his evil-bad-guy name to be Sir Kowski, possibly as a nod to his Polish grandparents???). Sir Kowski gobbled the book up faster than a plate of kielbasa on Casmir Pulaski Day. Crossing my fingers that we're the randomly selected winners! Sincerely, Christine Wolf aka tinywolf at aol dot com
This interview is a great reminder that the best books come after the best editing. So many of my students either think their words have been inscribed in cement or that editing is a total waste of time. It is often the most important part of writing. Thanks for letting an author explain that editors don't rewrite your book - they just help make it better. And I would love to have a copy of this book. I have been told that my evil name is Beastly Beverly (I'm not sure why some of my students call me this when I'm working with their writing, but it's better than some things I've been called!). My email address is [email protected]
Beverly Herrera
Nice article, thanks for the information.
Congrats on your book deal Allan! Great interview, Carmella.
My 7-YO son and I are reading through the long list of Dan Gutman's My Weird School series and loving them. Interested to begin reading your series, as well.
I guess my villian name would be Mini Mayhem (I'm small but fiesty!) and my side kick, Silly Sam (because he is a riot!)
mjcwriter"at"comcast"dot"net
Wonderful success and insights to marketing, Allan. You seemed to be a writer all along, but have now landed in your sweet spot!.
I'd love to win an autographed copy of Zachary.
The initials of my actual name (Sandy Brehl) are code for my alter-ego: StubbornlyBossy. Scares folks right off.
sbrehlhceatyahoodotcom.
Some pretty frightening names here, and that many of them are kids is even more terrifying. Thanks for the interview, Carmela!
Thank YOU, Allan. And I agree--some of these villains have pretty scary names!
Great and inspiring interview.
Susan J. Berger
Momster.
(I have a picture of me as Momster on my fridge.)