Wendy Willett

About me:

..         WRITING/PUBLICATION EXPERIENCE:  2003-2007 I wrote, edited, illustrated, and self-published my first novel Amber Shadows and the Missing Wands, and have numerous works posted on AuthorsDen.com. Since joining AuthorsDen.com the first ten chapter preview of Amber Shadows and the Missing Wands had been listed as one of the most popular young adult/teen novels. Numerous poetry works are published in the United States and on the web in the United Kingdom through Noble House. Upon graduating from Institute of Children's Literature in 2003, I planned a four book Amber Shadows series. Currently, I am working on revising the second book, Amber Shadows and the Crystal Locket.Forty-five+ poems published in United States and UK. BOOKS/WORKS WRITTEN:2004-2007 three manuscripts of my four+ book series, Amber Shadows are written and in revision form to make the series flow after the first book had changed so much before publication. Titles are as follows: Amber Shadows and the Missing Wands (Published); Amber Shadows and the Crystal Locket (In revision stage and scheduled for publication in 2009-10); Amber Shadows and the Dream Feather (Next in line for revision. Publication scheduled for 2010-11). The fourth book, Amber Shadows and the Seven Faerie Coins, is a work in progress and is not scheduled for publication as of yet. Articles written and published on Authorsden.com: A Writers Advice; Sometimes Self Publishing is the Only Way to Go. Short stories:  She Never Said Goodbye; Grandpa was Saint Nick; a short story for children (ages five to ten) Pardon My Tail; Flight of the Archangels. Adult fantasy fiction short stories: Magical Love - won runner-up in Joyous Publishing's writing contest and was published in an anthology publication called, Internationally Yours: Prize-Winning Stories in September 2006.Education/Writing/Acting Education:Graduated Carmel High for Girls in 1988. Majored in Advanced Acting in junior year (1986-1987) and senior year (1987-1988).  Graduate of Institute of Children’s Literature July 7, 2003. Attended College of Lake County in 2006; studied Principles of Acting, and Stage-Play Analysis for Production. Online Education: Manuscript Editing - received certificate. Theatrical/Stage: 1987-1988 The Hobbit; Mama’s Family – Carmel High School for Girls. Speaking Engagements: Highland Middle School – February 29, 2008 I taught 70+ 7th and 8th graders the fundamentals of how to write and form a first novel. Writer Memberships: SCBWI member since October 2004. Influences:Sir Conan Doyle, Charles Dickens, J.R. Tolkien, Ann Downer, Jenny Nimmo, Holly Black, and many, many more.Personal Information: I have been writing for several years. After I wrote my first book, Amber Shadows and the Missing Wands, I took on the task of illustrating the chapter headers. Originally, I hadn't thought of doing my own illustrations because I hadn't sketched in 25 years. As fate would have it, I decided to chance it and found sketching to be another outlet for my creative side. When my book came out, I was very surprised at how well the illusrations turned out. After 4 1/2 years of polishing and revising, I self-published my first book in the series on July 20, 2007. In 2008 Amber Shadows won Spinetinglers Book of the Year award, and in 2009 it won the YA genre Book of the Year through Authorsandbooks.net. I recently took time off from working on book two to write the screenplay version of Amber Shadows and the Missing Wands and submit it to the 2009 Screenwriter's Expo. Now I'm back to working on Amber Shadows and the Crystal Locket.  HISTORY OF MARKETING: Amber Shadows and the Missing Wands went on a Global Book Tour with my publisher to the New York Book Expo of America on May 29 - June 1st, the Beijing China International Book Festival on Sept. 1st-4th, the Frankfurt, Germany Book Fair on October 15th-19th, and the London Book Fair in spring 2009. I made an appearence at the Chicago Tribune Printers' Row Festival in 2008, and sold and signed books. Thank you to all those who came out to see me at the SCBWI tent.PERSONAL INFORMATION: Birth Date: October 29, 1969 Marital Status: Divorcing (yes, it's been going on since May 20th, and I'm restless for it to be over. My laywer has taken on too many cases). Oi' I am soooo not amused by this.Children: Two Residency: Spring Grove, Il with my two children. ********************************************************************Due to someone calling several times throughout the past several months, and not saying anything, I've decided it might be safer to disconnect my cell phone. I have no clue as to if the person calling has harmful intentions or if they simply want to talk to me, however it it scaring me. If it is the later, I wish the person calling would say something to ease my anxiety.****************** There is only one person who has been given my number and I have not heard from him yet, but I pray it's him.**********Only those I love and business associates have been personally given my home number. I can not disconnect the phone where I live, as I live with family. So please, if you have my number and want to talk to me, please . . . no more calls of silence . . . leave a name or message. ******************************************************************* Do not contact me through my cell phone, it has been deactivated for several months and there is no way for me to retrieve voice mail.***************** Email is the only way to contact me unless you are a personal friend or I've given my phone number to you for personal or business reasons.