Alexandria LaFaye is the author of seven novels for middle-grade readers with a new novel coming out in spring 2009. Her latest novel, Worth, won the Scott O’Dell Award for historical fiction, a Nebraska Book Award, a California Book Award, and was listed on numerous "Best Book" lists. The Year of the Sawdust Man and Edith Shay were on the Best Book list for Bank Street College of Education. The Strength of Saints was awarded a Notable Children’s Book award by the Smithsonian Institute. Alexandria has new work under contract with Breakfast Serials. She is an associate professor of English at California State University in San Bernardino and teaches regularly in the Hollins University MA program in children’s literature.

http://www.alafaye.com

More about Alexandria:

Raised in Wisconsin, A. LaFaye currently lives in Cabot, AR and spends most of her time, reading, writing, teaching, and visiting schools. She’s published nine novels including the Scott O’Dell Award wining Worth and her most recent title Stella Stands Alone. She has a BA in History from the University of Minnesota, an MA in Children’s Literature from Hollins University, and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Memphis. She’s written mostly historical novels, but she also has two reality based fantasy titles including the upcoming book Water Steps.

Alexandria as a faculty advisor:

I Am Happy to Work with Students in the Following Genres/Areas:
I’m happy to work with students in any genre, but I have to admit to having a bias against Romance stories. I’ve worked with students in almost every genre. I’ve taught creative writing for the last 10 years and love it. I hope to have a shelf full of my student’s publications. I have two on that shelf already and am eager to add more.

Other Things to Know About Me as an Advisor:
My approach to creative writing is craft based, genre specific, and focused on the skills, interests, and goals of the individual writer(s) I’m working with. I can work with e-mailed or hard copy submissions. I provide detailed page by page feedback and a comprehensive letter at the end of the manuscript. I love using "forms analysis" as a tool for learning more about writing and offer essay suggestions based on the skills the individual writer is struggling with in the submissions I read. I like to have my students read my critiques and comments, then discuss it over the phone after each packet, but I’m also open to communicating via e-mail.

Books of Mine I Recommend That You Read:
Worth, The Year of the Sawdust Man, and Stella Stands Alone