Dianne E. Gray - Author

Contact Information

Address:
2374 Granite Circle NW
Rochester, MN 55901

Book Category: Young Adult Fiction

Books

Tomorrow, the River. Houghton Mifflin, 2006.

Together Apart. Houghton Mifflin, 2002.

Holding Up the Earth. Houghton Mifflin, 2000.

Highlights

I discovered my passion for writing as a student in the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program at Hamline University. My first novel, Holding Up the Earth, began as a six-page writing exercise in a course titled "Writing From the Roots" and taught by Mary Francois Rockcastle. When Mary read the piece, she said, "I think you have the beginnings of a book--a children's book." I can't thank her enough. I expanded that short piece into a book-length work of fiction and submitted it as my graduation synthesis project. After graduation, I rewrote and revised for more than a year before sending the manuscript out. The day an editor at Houghton Mifflin called, offering to publish my manuscript, was the first day I truly thought of myself as a writer. My advice to anyone who ever thought they might like to write -- go for it! You're never too young or too old to begin. Read--there are worlds to be discovered, adventures to be had, within the p

Awards

Holding Up the Earth
ALA Best Books for Young Adults
Willa Literary Award – Women Writing the West
Sequoyah "Best of the Best" - Oklahoma Library Association
Golden Sower Nominee - Nebraska Library Association
Mark Twain Nominee - Missouri Assn of School Librarians
Sequoyah Nominee - Oklahoma Library Association
Garden State Nominee - New Jersey Library Association
Smithsonian Museum on Main Street – Barn Again reading selection
Together Apart
Nebraska Book Award - Nebraska Center for the Book
Pen Center USA Award Finalist
ALA Best Books for Young Adults Nominee
Willa Literary Award Finalist – Women Writing the West

Presentations

School Visits:
I have a well-developed "school visit" presentation that I have used in elementary and middle schools all across the Midwest. Each presentation lasts from 45 to 60 minutes and is divided into two distinctive parts. In the first half, I encourage young people to pursue any dream they might be dreaming for themselves by introducing them to the my "Six P's to Achieving Your Dreams." In the second half of the presentation, I introduce the students to the eras and characters in my novels. I bring costume pieces for each character and ask for volunteers to come forward and serve as models. I try to save time at the end of each presentation for questions and answers (my favorite part). This presentation works best for grades 4 through 8, though I have used it successfully in small, rural schools where the

Fees

Negotiable.

Added: 2006-10-16

Updated: 2010/07/26:1