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Instructor Bios

Laurie Faria Stolarz is the author of Blue is for Nightmares, White is for Magic, Silver is for Secrets, and Red is for Remembrance (Llewellyn Worldwide). The first two books in her series were nominated as Top Ten Teen Picks through the American Library Association (ALA) for 2004; Blue is for Nightmares was named a Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers in 2005. In addition, White is for Magic was finalist for a COVR award for 2005, Silver is for Secrets was a nominee for a Quill Award in 2005, and Red is for Remembrance was a semi-finalist for an IPPY award for 2006. Laurie's latest young adult novel, Bleed, was published in the fall of 2006 with Hyperion. Project 17, a companion book, is slated for release in 2007.

After getting her undergraduate degree in marketing, Stolarz went on to earn her MFA in creative writing with a concentration in young adult literature from Emerson College in Boston. Laurie’s Blue is for Nightmares series has sold well over 300,000 copies worldwide.

Lara M. Zeises is the author of three novels for young adults. Her first, Bringing Up the Bones (2002), was named an honor book for the 2001 Delacorte Press Prize Competition. Her second, Contents Under Pressure (2004), began as her thesis project at Emerson College, where in 2001 she earned her MFA in creative writing with a concentration in young adult literature. Contents has been named to the 2006 International Reading Association’s Young Adult Choices list (among others) and was voted the 2006 Delaware Blue Hen Teen Book Award winner. Lara’s third novel, Anyone But You (2005), was a Teen People Top 10 Pick.

In addition to writing, Lara teaches part-time at the University of Delaware, where she received her BA in English-Journalism. She also facilitates creative writing workshops for both teens and adults.

Laurie and Lara met at Emerson College, in a young adult novel workshop taught by Lisa Jahn-Clough. They later formed a critique group with Tea Benduhn (Gravel Queen); Steven Goldman; and Kim Ablon Whitney (The Perfect Distance). Of the five, four sold their first books within a year of each other.

Both Laurie and Lara have coached manuscripts from aspiring writers who’ve gone on to win prizes and earn representation and publishing contracts. Testimonials will be provided upon request.

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