Ann M. Martin: Ask Ann

Frequently Asked Questions

About Me:
How old are you and where were you born?
Are you married and do you have any children?
Do you have any sisters or brothers?
Where did you go to school?
Is Ann M. Martin your real name?
Who was your best friend when you were growing up?
Do you have any pets?
Where do you live?
How old were you when your first book was published?
Did you always want to be a writer?
I'm doing a school report. How can I learn more about you?
Why did you have your spleen removed?
What are your hobbies?
Why don't you like to cook?
Does your cat really take the phone off the hook?
Can you come to my school?
How can I write to you? Can I get an autographed picture?
I heard that you love I Love Lucy. What is your favorite episode?
Who are your favorite authors?

General Book Questions:
What is the title of your next book?
Where can I get a list of all the books that you've written?
Can I read the books online?
Can I get a book signed?

Writing Tips:
I am an aspiring writer/editor. Could you give me some tips for getting started?
Do you prefer to write alone or with another author?
Can you read my manuscript?
How can I get my writing published?
Do you write your manuscripts in longhand or on the computer?
Do you outline your stories first?
Where do you get your ideas?
Are your characters based on real people?
How long does it take you to write a book?

Can you dedicate a book to me?
How do you pick your character's names?
Can we be pen pals?

About the Series:
How many BSC and LS books have you written?
Why did you stop writing the BSC books and the other series?
Will you ever write a reunion book?
What is your favorite BSC book and LS book?
Who is your favorite baby-sitter?
Which character are you the most like?
How did you get the idea to write the BSC books?
Can I still join the BSC fan club?
Is there a book club where I can get the BSC books every month?
Where can I get copies of old BSC/LS books?
Is BSC merchandise still available?
Is Stoneybrook a real town?
Are the forms in the backs of the books still good?
Who does the handwriting in the BSC books?
Why do the characters never age?

Baby-sitting:
How can I start my own BSC?
Did you belong to a BSC when you were younger?
How much should I charge my clients?
Do you have some baby-sitting tips for me?
How old should you be to baby-sit?

Other Titles:

P.S. Longer Letter Later/Snail Mail No More:
Will there be a third book?
Is Elizabeth based on you?
How did you and Paula write the books together?

The Doll People:
How did you get the idea for these books?
How did you and Laura Godwin write the books together?
Will there be a third book?
Can I buy the dolls and the dollhouses?

Belle Teal:
How did you come up with the idea?
How did you get the feel for this story?
Will you ever write a sequel?

Corner of the Universe:
What was your inspiration?
How did you feel when this book won the Newbery Honor?
How did you pick the title?

Here Today:
Where did you get the idea for this story? Why did you want to write about this time period?
Will you ever write a sequel?

Volunteering/Helping Out:
Do you support any charitable organizations? How can I help?
Why do you have foster kittens?
I'd like to be a volunteer. Do you have any ideas?

Honors and Awards

Still Have a Question for Ann?

About Me:

How old are you and where were you born?
I was born on August 12, 1955, in Princeton, New Jersey.

Are you married and do you have any children?
I'm not married and I don't have any children, but I'm a doting aunt to my nephew, Henry. I also have several godchildren.

Do you have any sisters or brothers?
I have a sister who is two years younger than I am (but several inches taller!).

Where did you go to school?
I attended the public schools in Princeton, New Jersey, through high school and then graduated from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, with a double major in education and psychology.

Is Ann M. Martin your real name?
Yes, my real name is Ann Matthews Martin. Matthews is my mother's maiden name.

Who was your best friend when you were growing up?
My best friend was Beth McKeever. I based the character of Kristy on her. We're still very good friends.

Do you have any pets?
I have one dog, Sadie, and three cats, Gussie, Woody, and Willy.

Where do you live?
I live in the Hudson Valley region in upstate New York.

How old were you when your first book was published?
My first book was published in 1983 when I was 27 years old.

Did you always want to be a writer?
I always enjoyed writing, but never considered it seriously until after college.

I'm doing a school report. How can I learn more about you?
There is some biographic information on this website you can check out. You may want to try to find a copy of my biography, Ann M. Martin, by Margo Becker R. Also, you might look for one of the collections of interviews with authors. An example is Author Talk, by Leonard Marcus. Your school librarian may be able to help you locate this type of book.

Why did you have your spleen removed?
When I was eleven, I fell off the ladder to our tree house. The same thing happened to Karen in LS #81, Karen's Accident.

What are your hobbies?
My hobbies are reading, sewing, and needlework. I love to make clothes for children.

Why don't you like to cook?
I'm not really sure why I don't enjoy cooking, because I like to eat! Growing up, I enjoyed sewing projects and reading more than experimenting in the kitchen. It's pretty much the same for me today.

Does your cat really take the phone off the hook?
I remember being puzzled as to why the phone was sometimes off the hook in my office. Then one day, I came upon my cat, Mouse (who died several years ago), happily traipsing across the desk and sending the receiver flying. Mystery solved!

Can you come to my school?
Many authors make school visits, but my writing schedule only permits me to make a few visits each year. If you are interested in having an author come to your school, please ask your teacher to contact Stephanie Nooney at Scholastic Inc. at 212-343-6100.

How can I write to you? Can I get an autographed picture?
I'd be happy to send you a picture. You can write to me at:

I heard that you love I Love Lucy. What is your favorite episode?
You're right; I'm a huge I Love Lucy fan. My favorite episode is called "The Operetta." Everyone is extremely funny in this episode, but it's actually Ethel who makes me laugh the most.

Who are your favorite authors?
When I was younger, some of my favorite authors were Lewis Carroll, P.L. Travers, Hugh Lofting, Astrid Lindgren, and Roald Dahl. Now I like to read new fiction, non-fiction, and mysteries. (I love to be scared!)

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General Book Questions:

What is the title of your next book?
My next book is called A Dog's Life and will be published in the Fall of 2005.

Where can I get a list of all the books that you've written?
Click on the "Books" link on my webpage. Here's a shortcut that will get you there faster: www.scholastic.com/annmartin/books/index.htm.

Can I read the books online?
My books are only available in the traditional book form, but I imagine that someday you'll be able to read them online. (I think I'll always prefer curling up with the real thing, though!)

Can I get a book signed?
I would be happy to sign your book. Just mail it to me along with a self-addressed return envelope, and please include first-class postage on the envelope. Send to:

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Writing Tips:

I am an aspiring writer/editor. Could you give me some tips for getting started?
I'm glad that you are interested in a career in writing. If you click on "More Letters from Ann" at the bottom of the current Ann Online entry, it will take you to many of the previous letters I've written. I think you'll find "Ann's Top Ten Writing Tips" very useful. Here's a shortcut that will get you there faster: http://www.scholastic.com/annmartin/letters/online051001.htm.
Good luck with your writing!

Do you prefer to write alone or with another author?
I enjoy both for different reasons. It's a challenge to write alone because everything is up to me. It's also very exciting to work with another author. I would never have been able to write The Doll People books or the books I worked on with Paula Danziger if I'd been on my own. With another author, it's fun to work off each other's ideas and to take more risks.

Can you read my manuscript?
Unfortunately, my writing schedule keeps me too busy to do this for my readers, but I think it's a great idea to have someone critique your work. One idea would be to ask a favorite English teacher, a parent, or a good friend to read what you have written and offer any suggestions.

How can I get my writing published?
You might want to do some research to learn which magazines publish submissions from children. One example is Stone Soup which publishes stories, art, and poetry submitted by children. Good luck!

Do you write your manuscripts in longhand or on the computer?
For the most part, I use the computer, but I do take notes and edit my work in longhand.

Do you outline your stories first?
Yes, I extensively outline all my stories on a chapter-by-chapter basis.

Where do you get your ideas?
I get the ideas from my books from many different places. Some are based on personal experiences; others are based on childhood memories and feelings. Many are written about contemporary problems or events.

Are your characters based on real people?
All of my characters are made up, but many of them are based on real people.

How long does it take you to write a book?
This can certainly vary. For example, the first Doll People book took over four years to write. However, the average length of time is about one year.

Can you dedicate a book to me?
I would never be able to write enough books to dedicate one to every one of my readers! Instead, I usually dedicate a book to a relative or close friend. For example, A Dog's Life is dedicated to my nephew, Henry. He loves dogs, so this will be his special book.

How do you pick your character's names?
Sometimes I name my characters after people I know; other times I just choose names I like.

Can we be pen pals?
I wish I could be pen pals with all of my readers, but then I would never have time to write books!

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About the Series:

How many BSC and LS books have you written?
There are 131 BSC books and 122 LS books in print, plus the mysteries, super specials, and other related titles.

Why did you stop writing the BSC books and the other series?
It was with mixed emotions that I realized that the time had come for the BSC members to graduate middle school, and for me to explore new creative writing challenges. I stopped writing the California Diaries and the LS books because I thought it was appropriate that their stories all end at the same time.

Will you ever write a reunion book?
As of now, there are no plans to write a book about a BSC reunion.

What is your favorite BSC book and LS book?
Now that I've finished the series, I'd say I have two favorite BSC books. One is the first, Kristy's Great Idea, and the other is the last, Graduation Day. My favorite LS book is Karen's Wish.

Who is your favorite baby-sitter?
Kristy was, and still is, my favorite baby-sitter. She is based on my childhood best friend, Beth.

Which character are you the most like?
I based the character of Mary Anne on me.

How did you get the idea to write the BSC books?
My editor, Jean Feiwel, came up with the idea for a book series about a group of girls who love to baby-sit.

Can I still join the BSC fan club?
I'm sorry, but the BSC fan club is no longer in existence.

Is there a book club where I can get the BSC books every month?
I think the book club you are referring to is the collector's club, which is no longer in existence. But I know that school book clubs often offer the earlier books in special packages. I've also discovered that used-bookstores can be a fabulous source for finding hard-to-locate books.

Where can I get copies of old BSC/LS books?
There are many online sites that sell books. You can try using Google or another search engine to type in the name of the book you want to buy. You'll probably get many options. Used-bookstores are another good source.

Is BSC merchandise still available?
The BSC merchandise has been discontinued, although I occasionally hear of fans who have been lucky enough to find a game or a doll at a toy store. Also, I know that eBay (the online auction site) is a good source for many hard-to-find items like these.

Is Stoneybrook a real town?
No, Stoneybrook, Connecticut is a fictional town.

Are the forms in the backs of the books still good?
These order forms are no longer valid. Many of them are quite a few years old.

Who does the handwriting in the BSC books?
The handwriting for the girls - all of them! - was done by one person in Scholastic's art department.

Why do the characters never age?
If we had allowed the girls to age in real time, they would have been twenty-eight-years old by graduation day!

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Baby-sitting:

How can I start my own BSC?
Here are a few good ideas to help get you started:

If there are enough members, decide who the officers will be.
Collect dues (if necessary) to cover the cost of photocopying, business cards, and of course, snacks at your regular meetings.
Establish your fees. Find out from friends and neighbors what the local rates are.
Keep good records. You will want to maintain a client list, keep an appointment book, and record all your earnings.
Advertise. Start by telling everyone you know that you are available. You should also create a flyer to put up in appropriate places (i.e., libraries, doctors', dentists' offices, health clubs). Be sure to get permission first. Good luck!

Did you belong to a BSC when you were younger?
I was never a member of a baby-sitting club, but my friend Beth and I started lots of clubs that were never as successful as the BSC!

How much should I charge my clients?
I can't answer that question for you, because it varies upon where you live and what your responsibilities are. I suggest you ask your friends what they charge, and perhaps a parent can ask another adult for you. Your clients should also tell you what they expect to pay.

Do you have some baby-sitting tips for me?
Absolutely! You can click on "Books" on my website, and then click on "the BSC series." You'll find great tips here. Here's a link that can get you there faster: http://www.scholastic.com/annmartin/bsc/tips.htm

How old should you be to baby-sit?
A general guideline is that twelve-years-old is a good starting age for a baby-sitter. But first it's important to be prepared. As Kristy says, "Baby-sitting is a serious business." Call your local hospital or YMCA, or ask your school about a baby-sitting/first-aid course you can take. You can always start out by being a mother's helper, which will give you good experience without all of the responsibility. Good luck!

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Other Titles:

P.S. Longer Letter Later/Snail Mail No More:

Will there be a third book?
Paula and I had a lot of fun writing these two books, but we both felt we had finished telling the story of Elizabeth and Tara*Starr. Sadly, Paula passed away in July of 2004. I am so grateful to have been able to work with her on these two projects.

Is Elizabeth based on you?
There's a lot of me in Elizabeth and a lot of Paula in Tara*Starr in terms of our contrasting personalities.

How did you and Paula write the books together?
I love to work from a detailed outline, but Paula enjoyed letting her stories unfold as she wrote. After first discussing what we thought our characters were like, where they lived, how they dressed, and even what color hair they had, we began our journey into the unknown on a letter-by- letter basis.

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The Doll People:

How did you get the idea for these books?
My editor originally suggested the idea of a picture book about dolls. Then Laura Godwin (my co-author) and I started talking about a story with two different doll families, one old-fashioned, and one new-fangled. That's how the Doll and Funcraft families came to be.

How did you and Laura Godwin write the books together?
I wrote the stories from a detailed chapter-by-chapter outline provided by Laura. We also talked back and forth throughout the process, offering suggestions and exchanging ideas.

Will there be a third book?
I'm happy to say that Laura Godwin, Brian Selznick, and I will be collaborating on a new book. It will be called The Runaway Dolls.

Can I buy the dolls and the dollhouses?
Brian Selznick, the illustrator, did an incredible job creating the dolls and the dollhouses, so I can certainly see why people are interested. Unfortunately, there is no merchandise available.

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Belle Teal:

How did you come up with the idea?
A former English professor of mine asked me to contribute to a book she was editing. The short story I wrote tells of a young girl, Belle Teal, growing up in a rural area in the 1960's. I was very taken with Belle Teal, and interested in further developing her character to explore her relationship with a beloved grandmother suffering from what we now know to be the early signs of Alzheimer's disease. I was also interested in writing about the early days of desegregation and its effect on one town. After discussions with my editor, we agreed that Belle Teal would become a novel.

How did you get the feel for this story?
After doing some research, I felt that I would be able to tell the story of this historic civil rights event through Belle Teal's own experiences. She was different from any character I had ever written about before, but once I found her voice, the writing process was very similar to that of my other books.

Will you ever write a sequel?
As of now, there are no plans to write a sequel to Belle Teal.

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Corner of the Universe:

What was your inspiration?
I was nine years old, just a little younger than Hattie, when I was told that I had had an uncle who had died several years before I was born. Learning about his mental illness (which was very misunderstood at this time) and his subsequent suicide inspired me to write this book.

How did you feel when this book won the Newbery Honor?
I found out about the award when a woman from the American Library Association called me at home at 7:30 in the morning to tell me the good news. It marked the beginning of one of the best days I've ever had. I received flowers, candy, telephone calls, and congratulatory e-mails for several days. A couple of months later, I had a wonderful time when I attended the Newbery Awards ceremony in Toronto. So I guess you can say that winning a Newbery Honor is pretty cool!

How did you pick the title?
My editor chose the title from a phrase that Adam uses several times in the book.

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Here Today:

Where did you get the idea for this story? Why did you want to write about this time period?
Here Today is my third novel set in the 1960's. I grew up during this time and I was eight years old when President Kennedy was killed. Because my memories of that day are still very vivid, I've always wanted to incorporate that unique time in our history into one of my stories.

Will you ever write a sequel?
As much as I enjoyed writing about Ellie and her neighbors on Witch Tree Lane, I have no plans to write another book about them.

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Volunteering/Helping Out:

Do you support any charitable organizations? How can I help?
I provide financial support to lots of organizations that appeal to me. I also head up two organizations that I founded in 1990. The Ann M. Martin Foundation supports various charitable organizations benefiting children, animal rescue groups, and literacy programs. The Lisa Libraries is an organization dedicated to building or supplementing small libraries for kids in under-served areas, and to providing new books to kids who may never have owned a book of their own. If you would like to learn more about The Lisa Libraries, be sure to check out the web site at http://www.lisalibraries.org/frames.html.

Why do you have foster kittens?
In my community, there is a small animal rescue organization called AWAN (Animal Welfare and Adoption Network). AWAN finds permanent homes for stray, abandoned, and neglected animals. Because we don't have a shelter, volunteers act as foster caregivers for cats and dogs while they await permanent homes.

I'd like to be a volunteer. Do you have any ideas?
I like the phrase "think globally, act locally." Volunteering at a soup kitchen in your community is something the entire family can do together. Also, animal rescue organizations are always in need of volunteers. Even younger children can volunteer. Sometimes you don't need to look any further than next door. Ask your parents and teachers for other good ideas. Good luck!

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Honors and Awards:

Corner of the Universe:
2003 Newbery Honor Book
2003 ALA Notable Children's Book
2003 Book Sense Top Ten Pick
Booklist Editors Choice
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
Book Links Lasting Connection
Horn Book Fanfare Book
NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
2003 New Atlantic Booksellers Association Book of the Year Award (Children's Novel)
2004 Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Grades 6-8)

Belle Teal:
PW Best Book of the Year
Book Sense 76 Children's Pick
Child Magazine Best Book of the Year
IRA Young Adult Choice
NCSS/CBC Notable Studies Trade Book for Young People

The Doll People:
2002 Maryland Children's Book Award (Intermediate Category)

Leo the Magnificat:
American Bookseller Pick of the Lists
NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
1999 Georgia Children's Book Awards (Grades K-3)
Pennsylvania Keystone State Reading Association Children's Book Award

Ten Kids No Pets:
1991 Indiana Young Hoosier Book Awards (Grade 4-6)
1991 Pacific Northwest Young Readers Choice award (Grades 4-8)
1994 Virginia Young Readers Program (Elementary)

P.S. Longer Letter Later:
ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
Texas Lone Star Book

Snail Mail No More:
ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
Parents Guide Children's Media Award

Still Have a Question for Ann?