var CrimiInfo = '
Carolyn Crimi received her MFA in Writing for Children from Vermont College in 2000. Her publishing credits include Outside, Inside (Simon & Schuster), Don’t Need Friends (Random House, 1999),Tessa’s Tip- Tapping Toes (Orchard Books, 2002), Get Busy, Beaver! (Orchard Books, 2004), Boris and Bella (Harcourt, 2004), Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies (Candlewick, 2005) and The Louds Move In (Marshall Cavendish, 2006). Upcoming titles include Where’s My Mummy? (Candlewick, 2008), Dear Tabby (Harpercollins, 2009), Henry and the Crazed Chicken Pirates (Candlewick, 2009) and Rock and Roll Mole (Dial, 2010). When she’s not writing, Carolyn enjoys giving Author Talks to elementary schools all over the country. Her website, www.carolyncrimi.com, gives more details about her books and her background.';
var GrannickInfo = '
Carol Coven Grannick is a children’s author and clinical social worker in private practice. Her excitement and passion about the process of change keeps both of her professions wonderfully exciting to her. "We’re all vulnerable when we want something to be different in our lives, but don’t know how to make it happen. I love revising to try to create the story I want, the story I dream a manuscript can be. I love reading stories of profound change, having my heart wrenched and then healed. And I love helping people revise their lives in a way that creates meaning and happiness." My blog: www.reviseyourself.blogspot.com';
var SchwartzInfo = '
Tina P. Schwartz lives in Grayslake, Illinois with her husband and their three children. She enjoys writing for children as well as meeting many, many kids while doing author visits at schools, libraries and book signings at stores. A Columbia College graduate, with a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing Communication, Mrs. Schwartz worked in Advertising for several years until becoming a mother. She began writing and worked part-time as an Assistant Youth Librarian, and now writes full-time while staying home with her children. Tina is a self-proclaimed tomboy who enjoys playing sports, watching movies and loves dogs and children. Her current books are: Writing & Publishing: Famous Teen Authors - How to Add Your Name to the List (forthcoming 2007, working title, Scarecrow Press), ORGAN TRANSPLANT: A Survival Guide for the Entire Family, Scarecrow Press, 2005; and Motocross Freestyle, Jan. 2004, Capstone Press. Tina can be found on the web at http://www.tinaPschwartz.com';
var SiburtInfo = '
Ruth Siburt has been a member of SCBWI for about ten years. She enjoys writing fiction and nonfiction. Her two middle grade novels from Royal Fireworks Press are DRAGON CHARMER and THE TROUBLE WITH ALEX. She has also published short stories and poetry in CICADA magazine. Ruth works with a variety of educational contractors and has written poetry, nonfiction and fiction for 1st through 6th grades. Ruth lives in Decatur, Illinois, is married and has two grown children and one grandchild. She works as the library/lab assistant at an alternative school for children grades 3-12.';
var RandleInfo = 'I’m Sherry Randle, the Southern Illinois Network Representative. I live in Swansea with my husband, my daughter, two Old English Sheepdogs, and one striped Tabby. We have five other children, plus thirteen grandchildren (some acquired through marriages).
I started writing for children after I graduated from McKendree College in 1998 (yes, I was a non-traditional student, thanks for asking). I have written numerous short stories and poems, plus, I have completed several middle grade novels (unpublished, I’m afraid). I am currently working on a young adult novel. My one publishing credit is a short magazine story (YA).';
var ThorntonInfo = '
Christine Thornton and Terri Murphy have been the Chicago-area Illustrators Network Reps since 2002. In 2006 Christine illlustrated her first picture book, HEADING TO THE WEDDING. She has a BFA in art education from the University of Illinois. In addition to making her own art, she teaches art lessons from her home studio and gives illustrator presentations in schools. Find out more at her website: www.christinethornton.com';
var BrownInfo = '
George Eliot said, "It’s never too late to be who you might have been." I’ve taken that to heart, joining SCBWI one year before I retired (teaching elementary art). I now work to educate myself, improve my writing and perfect my portfolio. As member of the Springfield Scribes, I enjoy promoting Illinois authors and Illustrators each year at IRC. I recently celebrated my first sale in the children’s market. (Hurrah!) I’m learning to value my growing collection of rejections as a tribute to my growth and tenacity. My second career as writer/illustrator is a joyous work-in-progress. Louann Brown (Springfield Scribes)SCBWI Downstate Illustration Rep. Gillespie, Il 62033 Tel. 217-839-3264';
var HutmacherInfo = '
My name is Kimberly Hutmacher. I’ve been a member of SCBWI for five years and a network rep for four of those years. I’ve had over 60 pieces of fiction, nonfiction and poetry accepted for publication in magazines such as BABYBUG, LADYBUG, HOPSCOTCH and WEE ONES, among others. I have spent the last two years as the poetry editor for WEE ONES. My educational publishing includes work in two anthologies, SIDEWALKS I, published by Pearson Education and THE GIANT BOOK OF MONTHLY ACTIVITIES, published by Gryphon House. www.kimberlyhutmacher.thewritemarbles.com/ ';
var LattaInfo = '
Sara Latta writes about science and medicine for kids of all ages, having discovered at a rather tender age that she had ten left thumbs in the laboratory. Her recent books include Stella Brite and the Dark Matter Mystery (Charlesbridge, 2006) and The Good, the Bad, the Slimy: The Secret Life of Microbes (Enslow, 2006). She received her M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Lesley University in 2007, and is currently at work on a young adult novel as well as a series of books on extreme scientists. She lives in Champaign, Illinois with her family and menagerie of animals. Visit Sara\'s website at http://www.saralatta.com';
var LeahyInfo = '
According to the Chinese, I was born a rooster. A cruel joke because I hate mornings. I’m a late night writer. Known by many as, "Toe Knee" and even more as, "the freaky one," I’ve freaked with SCBWI since 2001. I became a network representative in 2005 and have loved this family everyday. My other family consists of a hubby, two boys, one girl, one skinny pug, one fat cat, three tree frogs and six plain fish. My focus is YA fiction with an occasional dip in the MG pool. I’d say more, but I’m out for a swim.';
var WolfInfo = '
Sallie Wolf, PETER’S TRUCKS, Albert Whitman, 1992. TRUCK STUCK, Charlesbridge, Spring 2008. THE ROBIN MAKES A LAUGHING SOUND, a birder’s journal, Charlesbridge, Spring 2009. I was born in Virginia and spent most of my summers in New Hampshire. In 1973 I moved to Chicago and I have been here ever since. But I still spend part of each summer in New Hampshire. I received a BA degree from Brown University in Anthropology and Archaeology (1972) and a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1997). I am a full-time artist and writer, working out of my studio in the Harrison St. Arts District in Oak Park. I live in Oak Park with my husband, Chuck. I have two sons, now grown. For more information about my writing and art, visit my website, http://www.salliewolf.com and blog at http://thelittlehorse.blogspot.com';
var DavenportInfo = '
Gail Piernas-Davenport has been a network rep in Chicago’s southern suburbs since 2001. She enjoys helping writers and illustrators discover their potential through SCBWI. Prior to membership, she was a ship without a sail, a nail without a head, a writer without a clue. "SCBWI helped turn me from a marketing manager at a bank (yawn) to a children’s author. The members and programs are unbelievable." Gail is the author of a picture book, Shanté Keys and the New Year’s Peas (Albert Whitman & Co., 2007). The misplaced Cubs fan lives in the southern suburbs with her family. www.gpdavenport.com';
var RompellaInfo = '
Natalie Rompella leads the Dundee area shop talk. Her published books include Don’t Squash That Bug! (Lobster Press, 2007), Famous Firsts: The Groundbreakers, Trendsetters, and Risk-takers Who Got America Moving! (Lobster Press, 2007), Science Fair Projects: Ecosystems, and Science Fair Projects: Chemistry (Heinemann, 2007), as well as ten leveled readers for Scott Foresman and Reading A-Z. Coming out later this year will be her short story "Treat-or-Treat on Ravine Street" in Blooming Tree Press’s anthology The Girls. Currently, Rompella is working on her book Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: The Ultimate Teen Guide. In addition to writing, she teaches second grade in Barrington. Visit her website at natalierompella.com';
var DanielsonInfo = 'I attended my first SCBWI coffee shop talk on a foggy February night five or six years ago. Thanks to supportive members inside and a gentle rain outside, both my writing vision and the visibility on Interstate 80 cleared dramatically during that meeting. I now serve Illinois-SCBWI as the Listserv Moderator and as a Network Co-Rep for the Southlands Network. Since that meeting I have been writing, revising and submitting middle grade novels, short stories and poetry. I also recently finished and submitted my first picture book.';
var ZoellsInfo = '
DARCY DAY ZOELLS: I realized I was a writer in junior high when my best friend spontaneously combusted in the lunch line. My first reaction (after I scraped the char off my grilled cheese sandwich) was to write in my journal. Likewise, I recorded all the usual traumas of high school: doomed love affairs, out of body experiences, and the occasional UFO sighting. Picture books were my first love. However, the reviews of my 5000 word board book, Goodnight Loon, have now convinced me that my true calling is Middle Grade and YA novels.';
var BiermanInfo = 'Before she wrote for children, Lisa Bierman spent 17 years in marketing research, as a focus group moderator. Two sons came along and she rediscovered kids’ literature. She wrote a picture book. Somehow it turned into a chapter book. She joined SCBWI, took classes, and wrote another picture book. It turned into a poetry collection. She has published some poems in Babybug, Dragonfly Spirit, and Wee Ones. Patiently, she anticipates a story in Boys’ Quest (2012!). Until then, she will enjoy her boys, write, and marvel at how ideas morph into books but never the book you first imagined.';
var HertensteinInfo = '
Jane Hertenstein has been a Chicago Network Rep for 4 years. She is the author of 3 books: a picture book about life at a homeless shelter Home is Where We Live, the memoir of a Chicago baglady Orphan Girl, and a YA novel Beyond Paradise. She loves meeting people and getting to hear about them and their stories. She is on the Illinois Arts Council roster of artists. If you have any ideas for the city network or want to get together just send an e-mail.';
var BowenInfo = '
I write fiction in a variety of genres, though my specialty is unreadable drivel.
SCBWI is a great way to connect with other writers, learn about the writing craft, and commiserate about the vagaries of the publishing industry. I just hope to help.
If you’re around Normal - or nowhere near Normal - stop by and say howdy.';
var TohtInfo = 'Patty Toht
My first taste of writing success happened when I won a poetry contest in third grade -- which was followed by a thirty-year long dry spell. Okay, I was a bit distracted by the hubby and four kids. Oh, and that fifth child, Never Never Land, a children’s bookstore that I owned and operated from 1988 to 1995. Following our \"You\'ve Got Mail\" demise, I returned to writing. I\'ve authored a nonfiction book about Moscow and collaborated on a series of board books. Recently I returned to poetry and have been blessed by sales to Ladybug, Spider and Highlights.';
var McGintyInfo = 'Alice B. McGinty is the Downstate Illinois Coordinator for SCBWI, a Central Illinois Network Representative, and an enthusiastic author, who writes fiction and nonfiction books for children along with doing educational contract work.
Alice\’s books include: \"Darwin\" (Houghton Mifflin, PB Biography, Illus. Mary Azarian, Spring, ’08), \"Thank You, World\" (Dial, PB, Illus. Wendy Halperin, Oct. ’07), \"Eliza’s Kindergarten Surprise\" (Cavendish, PB, Illus. Nancy Speir, 2007), \"Ten Little Lambs\" (Dial, PB, Illus. Melissa Sweet, 2002), and many educational series, including books about spiders, food chains, dogs, and nutrition.
Alice lives in Urbana, Illinois with her husband and two teenage sons.';