I grew up in Ithaca, New York, where I spent most of my time reading children's books. I loved fantasy, and I especially loved fairy tales. In high school I started working in the children's room of the public library, and I kept reading fairy tales. After college, I came to New York City and got a job in children's book publishing, where -- you guessed it -- I read more fairy tales. And finally I decided to write my own! I've also written quiz books with my sister, two nonfiction books for teens with Lerner Books, and lots and lots of textbook lessons for Grades K-12.
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Favorite Writers and Artists:
As a writer of children's fantasy, I'm inspired by the usual suspects -- JRR Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Susan Cooper, Edward Eager, E. Nesbit, Robin McKinley, Shannon Hale.
Current Projects:
I'm finishing up a third fairy-tale retelling, PRINCESS OF THE WILD SWANS, and working on a fourth, as yet untitled.
Interests:
Reading, writing, baking, eating, traveling.
Family:
Husband Philip, son Ben, dog Gulliver
University Affiliations:
Cornell University, B.A.
Contact Information:
dlzahler@gmail.com
Charities/Causes:
Alliance for International Women's Rights (http://www.aiwr.org/)