My Y.A. novel RUNAWAY STORM hit bookstores January 2010. I have two more Y.A. novels close to publication: ZAPPED and RUNAWAY FIRE, along with two picture books, NO MORE MISCHIEF and CRAZY CRUSTACEANS, both due on shelves later this year. I have also sold to the Kids Reading Room/L.A Times and have worked as a freelance writer for both newspapers and advertising agencies. I have been critiquing and working with writers for over eight years. I have taught writing workshops and am one of the founders of the popular Critiquemania Children’s writer’s retreat.
I presently work as an editor for a small press, and am an active board member for SCBWI-LA (Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators-Los Angeles). I have a B.A. in Creative Writing and a Masters in Professional Writing. After I earned my B.A., I worked as a copywriter and then as the Creative Director for two different radio stations and have written several thousand radio ads and T.V. ads. I am a proud co-founding member of the Sand Scribes children’s writing group. |
Influences/Inspirations:
Growing up, I loved adventure novels. I read every book in the FAMOUS FIVE series by British writer Enid Blyton. I loved JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH by Roald Dahl.
I always loved to write. As a child I wrote poetry and in high school I began writing stories.
I knew I wanted to write for teens so as an adult I continued to read Y.A. and was strongly influenced by DOWN RIVER and RIVER THUNDER by Will Hobbs and HATCHET by Gary Paulsen.
Current Projects:
I am the small events coordinator for SCBWI-LA (Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators) I am the author liaison for FOTCL (Friends of the Children’s Library in Huntington Beach), and the founding coordinator of the Sand Scribes, a group of children’s writers in California. These are all volunteer positions which take up quite a bit of time, but I strongly believe if you want to write for children you must fully immerse yourself in ‘everything books,’ and I enjoy every minute of it an
Interests:
I am also involved with Toe The Line, a small press that specializes in ocean conservation, which is a passion for me. We publish the SEE INTO THE SEA color and learn books, which promote tidal zone awareness through wacky facts about interesting zone creatures. Did you know for example that Sea Cucumbers throw-up all their inside organs once a year and grow new ones? We are very proud that one of our SEE INTO THE SEA books just won an award at the Green Book Festival. We are excited to share f
Contact Information:
You can write to me at runawaystorm@earthlink.com
Or if you would like me to sign your book, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so I can return it and mail to:
Dawne Knobbe
7071 Warner Ave. STE 497F
Huntington Beach, CA 92647