Claire Rudolf Murphy is the author of seventeen books of fiction and nonfiction for children and young adults, including
Children of Alcatraz: Growing Up on the Rock; Daughters of the Desert: Remarkable Women of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim Traditions;
Children of the Gold Rush and the upcoming picture book
Susan B., Mama and B. Her awards include a Contribution to Literacy Award from the Alaskan Center for Books, a Willa Cather Award, a Sequoyah Children’s Book Award, and an “Outstanding Author” award from the Washington Organization of Reading Development. She has an M.F.A. in creative writing from the University of Alaska in Fairbanks and has taught creative writing for many years at Eastern Washington University. From 1994-98 she was the co-director of the Fairbanks Young Writers Institute. After living for twenty-four years in Alaska, she now lives in Spokane, Washington with her family.
http://www.clairerudolfmurphy.com/
More about Claire:
Claire Rudolf Murphy has written sixteen books for children and young adults, including three novels, and many nonfiction and picture books. Her newest publications are the picture book I Am Sacajawea, I Am York: Our Journey West With Lewis and the photo essay Children of Alcatraz: Growing Up on the Rock. In 2009, Peachtree Books will publish her picture book about Susan B. Anthony and a real girl in California during the 1896 suffrage fight. She is currently working on a young adult novel set in 1920 Nashville and a nonfiction book on the fight for voting rights in American history.
Formerly a secondary language arts teacher, Claire and her family lived in Alaska for twenty-four years, until returning to her hometown of Spokane ten years ago. Along with writing, teaching and reading, Claire enjoys music, politics and time with her extended family and friends. She loves sports of every stripe, especially biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing with her husband. Her two children Conor and Megan are now college graduates, but they and their friends and Claire’s many nieces and nephews keep her in touch with young people, along with her school visits. Claire is most inspired to write about the outsiders of American history, and stories set in her beloved West.
Claire as a faculty advisor:
I Am Happy to Work with Students in the Following Genres/Areas:
Longer nonfiction, picture books for readers 6 and up (fiction and nonfiction,) easy readers, and fiction - early chapter books through young adult novels.
Other Things to Know About Me as an Advisor:
My approach to working with students is to encourage the development and revision of their work, as they uncover/discover their passion for their subjects and their characters. I also believe in the importance of reflecting often on one’s unique writing process and adjusting work habits and goals from insights gained.
Last semester I requested that students send packets by snail mail, but am willing to accept email submissions fall semester, with four mailers given to me at the end of the residency. I offer the opportunity for one phone consultation and will consider additional ones as needed. Email communications on specific questions are fine.
Books of Mine I Recommend That You Read:
Children of Alcatraz: Growing Up on the Rock, Gold Rush Dogs, A Child’s Alaska (nonfiction)
I Am Sacajawea, I Am York: Our Journey West with Lewis and Clark
(historical fiction picture book)
Free Radical and To the Summit (young adult novel)
Daughters of the Desert: Remarkable Stories from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim
Traditions (short stories)
Gold Rush Winter (easy reader)
