I was born in 1951 and have lived almost my entire life in Rochester, New York.

I married Jim Vande Velde.  (So, yes, Vivian Vande Velde is my real name.)  When our daughter Beth was born, I quit my job as a secretary. Since I was home all day, I had to either take housework more seriously or come up with a good excuse why I couldn't. So this was the point where I had to stop saying "Someday I'm going to be a writer," and do something about it.

The first book I wrote was A Hidden Magic.

Writing turned out to be harder work than I thought it would be.  (To read more about writing, go to the WRITING ADVICE page.)

But, once I finished writing the book, getting it published was even harder.  I sent it out to 32 different publishers over a two-year period, before number 33 said yes.

So, if you're interested in seeing your stories become books, keep in mind that lots of people heard "no" from publishers before they heard "yes"--including:

• Dr. Seuss
• Edgar Allen Poe
• Stephen King
• Madeline L'Engle
• J.K. Rowling

Writing can be easier if you have the support of other writers. Luckily for me, there are a lot of children's writers in the Rochester area. I belong to two groups, each with wonderful people who help each other by asking gentle questions (What is it, exactly, dear, that you're trying to say here?) and who offer encouragement and advice to each other. And besides that, they're a lot of fun.

One writers group:

(from left to right:  Ellen, Robin, Kathy, Bruce, Cynthia, Tedd, Patience, VVV, MJ)

Tedd Arnold writes and illustrates incredibly funny books, including Parts and the various adventures of Fly Guy.  Sometimes he draws the pictures after someone else has written the story.  He and Robin Pulver have worked together on two Axle Annie books.  Tedd's latest two books couldn't be more different from each other:  The Twin Princes, a picture book (both written and illustrated by Tedd); and Rat Life, his first novel for older readers.  Rat Life is currently nominated for an Edgar.  Way to go, Tedd!
http://www.geocities.com/~teddarnold/

M.J. Auch writes and illustrates picture books (many of which include poultry in the arts--how can that NOT be funny?), and she also writes novels, some of which are historical fiction, such as Ashes of Roses. M.J. is responsible for getting my story, Troll Teacher, published; she's also responsible for the pictures. M.J.'s newest novel is One-Handed Catch; her newest picture book is Beauty and the Beaks.
http://mjauch.com

Patience Brewster illustrates picture books, has her own greeting card company, and designs quirky but wonderful holiday ornaments. Patience is the illustrator for the Park Pals series (the adventures of PeeWee the guinea pig). The last of her books to come out is the exquisitely beautiful The Merbaby.
http://www.patiencebrewster.com

Bruce Coville has written picture books (including retellings of Shakespeare plays) and novels (many having to do with magic, or aliens, or both). Also, he is the genius behind Full Cast Audio, a recording company where novels aren't just read--they're acted out. It's difficult to keep up with Bruce and the many series he works on (including the Unicorn Chronicles and Moongobble and Me), but one of his most recent books is an adaptation of Hans Brinker.
http://www.brucecoville.com/home.asp                   http://www.fullcastaudio.com

Katherine Coville is an artist whose beautiful depictions of fantastical creatures makes her a natural to illustrate (among others) books by husband Bruce Coville.  Together they have worked on the Moongobble and Me series.

Cynthia DeFelice is the author of picture books (some based on folk tales, others totally original) and novels (all of them suspenseful, some having to do with ghostly goings-on). Her books (such as Weasel and The Ghost of Fossil Glen) are frequent winners on state reading award lists. Her newest book is The Ghost of Poplar Point.
http://cynthiadefelice.com

Robin Pulver is the author of picture books such as the Mrs. Toggle series--picture books that adults as well as children love to read because of all the silly puns and clever word plays. She wrote the text and Tedd Arnold drew the illustrations for Axle Annie. Robin's most recent book is Nouns and Verbs Have a Field Day.
http://www.robinpulver.com

Ellen Stoll Walsh writes and illustrates picture books. Sometimes Ellen draws, but so far she is best known for her cut-paper illustrations, such as in Mouse Paint. She has a series of books featuring mouse detectives Dot and Jabber, who solve mysteries in nature. Her latest book is Mouse Shapes. We're working on talking her into getting a website.  But meanwhile read a little about her at:
http://www.geocities.com/~teddarnold/ellen.html

Another Writers group:

(left to right:  MJ, Marsha, Alice, and VVV, with Jennifer in front)

You're not seeing double:  She's on here twice because we're in TWO writers' groups together.  M.J. Auch writes and illustrates picture books (many of which include poultry in the arts--how can that NOT be funny?), and she also writes novels, some of which are historical fiction, such as Ashes of Roses. M.J. is responsible for getting my story, Troll Teacher, published; she's also responsible for the pictures. M.J.'s newest book is One-Handed Catch;  her newest picture book is Beauty and the Beaks.

http://mjauch.com

Alice DeLaCroix's stories are always beautifully told, with an attention to language that makes the reader feel as though the characters are long-time friends. Alice's latest book is How to Survive a Totally Boring Summer.

Marsha Hayles enjoys playing with words in her spirited, playfully rhyming picture books, often about everyday things, such as a child's imagination. Marsha's newest book is Pajamas Anytime. http://www.marshahayles.com/xoops/modules/tinyd1/index.php?id=1

Jennifer Meagher is a talented artist, voice actress, and mystery-game developer. She has taught cartooning classes and created life-size animals for Rochester's "Horses on Parade" and "Animal Scramble"--so you never know what you're going to find in her house. Jennifer provided the illustrations for Luvella's Promise.    http://www.jmeagherstudio.com/
Besides being a writer/illustrator, Jennifer also works with the elderly and is a kind and sympathetic listener.  http://www.seniorlifegcm.com/ 

I was also fortunate enough to have a really good editor early in my career--the talented and gracious writer Jane Yolen. http://www.janeyolen.com/index.html