Happy Book Birthday!!!!

• Colleen
• Interviews
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Today is the book birthday for Keri Mikulski’s new book, 

Head Games!

 Keri and I have been critique partners for years and have shared many highs and lows. I’m so happy for her success!

On with the questions.

1. Tell me about your journey. Did you always want to be an author? What

sparked you to start writing?

I’ve always loved to write, but sadly, I never thought I was smart enough to be a ‘real’ author.  I spent most of my childhood dreaming of becoming a professional softball player. But, when that didn’t pan out I worked as a lifeguard, a secretary, a nurse, a personal trainer, and a teacher, attempting to find myself. But, there was always one constant throughout it all – writing. I wrote constantly. And during this time, little hints of my future were popping up around me. One of my college papers was placed in the university’s archives, I began creating picture books for my niece, and I landed a job teaching reading and writing at a middle school. But, what ultimately sparked my writing was the birth of my daughter. After Kaci was born I felt like I could do anything. I enrolled in a writing course, sold my first article six months later, and set my sites on writing sports fiction for girls.  

2. Your characters seem similiar to what I imagine you were like when

you were younger (sports playing, boy-crazy girls). Yes? Do you base

your characters on real people?

Ha! I love it! You know me so well. 🙂

Absolutely! Every character I write begins with one characteristic of someone I know and A LOT of imagination. In fact, one of my favorite things to do is place little clues thoughout my books. That way if the person the character is based on reads the book, he or she will know it’s him or her. 🙂

3. You write for relunctant readers. Are there guidelines you must

follow? Vocab limitations? Sentence structure?

My books are not specifically packaged for ‘reluctant readers’. Therefore, I have no limitations. However, I do receive a ton of emails from reluctant readers.

 4. Will Derek Jeter ever appear in one of your books?

Too funny! I’ve actually written Derek Jeter into every single one of my books – either as a reference, a dream, etc.. I always imagined sending Jeter my books with a note attached to it. Then, he would call me, inviting me to lunch. *sigh* But, poor Derek always gets cut. 🙁

5. What’s your publicity schedule?

I’m scheduled to present at a bunch of workshops this Spring. I’ll excited to appear at the Delta Kappa Gamma New Jersey State Conference in March, the New Jersey Librarians Conference in May, NJSCBWI in June, and a bunch others. I plan on attending signings at both basketball and softball tournaments this summer. However, right now, most of my time will be devoted to writing Books 4, 5, and 6.

6. What are you working on now? When will it come out?

I’m finishing the copyedits for STEALING BASES, the next book in the series. STEALING BASES will hit bookstores on July 7th. 🙂 

7. Do you have a message for young girls struggling with life and love?

Hmm.. Go with your gut. 🙂 And stay away from boys with lists. 🙂

Thanks bunches!

Keri 🙂

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Keri Mikulski

http://www.kerimikulski.com

Author of Head Games (Penguin/Razorbill, January 2011)

Author of Stealing Bases (Penguin/Razorbill, July 2011)