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Jan Siebold
Write to Jan through her publisher: Jan Siebold c/o Albert Whitman & Company 6340 Oakton Street Morton Grove, IL 60053. Visit Jan's website at: http://users.adelphia.net/~jansiebold/ |
Authors Among Us - Children's Writers Who Are or Who Have Been Librarians
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Featured Title by Jan Siebold
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Rope Burn
Hardcover (0-8075-7109-1) Paperback (0-8075-7110-5) |
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Doing Time Online
ISBN 0-8075-5959-8 |
| Find out more about Jan's book, or purchase it at: Albert Whitman Co. | |
| What influenced you to become a librarian?
I am lucky to have come from a family of readers. When I was a kid, one of the best Christmas or birthday presents was a new book. In college I worked in almost every department of the university library. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Ed, and it seemed like a natural progression to get my Master's in Library Science. Do you have a library/information science
degree? I received my MLS from the University of Buffalo in 1977. What kinds of library positions have you held and where? I am in my 26th year as an elementary school librarian. I have worked in 3 different districts in the Western New York area. I plan to continue until I can retire. Which came first in your life, your career as a librarian, or writing for children? My career as a librarian came before my first published book. Did your library work have anything to do with becoming a children’s writer? Did your library work directly influence your work as an author? My work as a librarian most definitely influenced my writing. I am certain that being constantly exposed to the language, illustrations and themes of children's books gave me a feel for what children enjoy and what is important to them. I haven't used scenes from the library in my books, but I have used family situations. What are the greatest benefits of being a librarian to you as a writer? The greatest advantage has been lots of exposure to good writing. Are there any drawbacks to being a librarian and also a writer? The only drawback has been lack of time. Having a full-time job definitely limits the time that I have to write and to do author visits. If you write while working as as librarian, how do you manage the time-juggling act? I do most of my writing on weekends and days off from school. However, I work best under pressure, and some of my best writing has been squeezed in during hectic times of the school year. Do you find any conflicts or job-related
difficulties in being both a writer and a librarian? The school administration has been supportive, and has publicized my authorship, but I have not felt comfortable in pursuing days off to do author visits. Do you feel that librarianship has specific benefits to you as a writer? Specific benefits include knowledge of publishers, a feel for trends and gaps, contact with other authors and opportunities to attend related conferences. Are there any other comments you would like to make about librarianship and writing for children? My characters are composites of the many students that I have known over the years as a librarian. They are usually those average students who often get lost in the shuffle, but who shine with a bit of encouragement. Jan's books are: Rope Burn, published by Albert Whitman & Co. in 1998,
was named to the 1999-2000 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List and the 2000-2001
Land of Enchantment Master List. |
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Last Updated October 31, 2003