LoginMarch 2022 Notable Author: Natalie Standiford
“That job was a big turning point in my life—it started my career.” – Natalie Standiford
Natalie Standiford was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. Since eight, she knew she wanted to be writer which led her to read constantly and write stories throughout her childhood and teen years. She attended Brown University where she studied literature, fiction writing, and the Russian language, which provided an opportunity to practice Russian in the former Soviet Union.
Standiford moved to New York and after graduation started working for Random House Books for Young Readers. She described it this way, “I was fresh out of college. The job market was bad, so I was excited to be asked back for a second interview for an editorial assistant position at Random House. They offered me the job that day! I was so thrilled I skipped up Third Avenue singing, ‘Every Day I Write the Book.’ That job was a big turning point in my life—it started my career.”
Her first published book was an easy reader called The Best Little Monkeys in the World that was illustrated by Hilary Knight, the famous illustrator of Eloise. After about three years at Random House, she left to write freelance. She worked for a book packager and read publishers’ slush piles to make ends meet while writing her own stories. She says, “It was hard at first, but I kept at it and now, years later, I’m still freelancing and writing books.” Her book reviews and essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Los Angeles Review of Books.
She has written books for children such as the very popular The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto and for teens, like How To Say Goodbye in Robot, and Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters. Her most recent novel Astrid Sees All: A Novel follows a smart, vulnerable young woman in the glittering, decadent downtown club scene of the 1980s as she takes a deep dive into her dark side.
Though she and her husband live and work in New York City, she will proudly say, “My hometown is Baltimore, Maryland. I love its unselfconscious oddness, and the way it changes yet somehow stays the same.” Find out more at NatalieStandiford.com.
Genre: Teens – Coming of age
This genre focuses on main characters, are usually teens, dealing with teen issues such emotional, sexual, and mental maturity and how the adult world differs from that of teens.
Sample Reading List: How To Say Goodbye in Robot, Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters, The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto, and Astrid Sees All: A Novel.
Writer's Prompt - Fun With Words
Maryland Writers’ Association (MWA) invites you to have fun writing Teens Coming of Age like Natalie Standiford. With just 100 words, place a teen into a setting where they are faced with an awareness of the impeding adult world.
Title your work and submit to: https://marylandwriters.org/Notable_Maryland_Authors by the 22nd of the month to receive an MWA Fun With Words submission certificate. Selected responses will be published with next month’s article as well as posted on the MWA website.
Submit Your FUN WITH WORDS Prompt
The MWA is a 33-year-old state-wide association (501c3) dedicated to encouraging and mentoring Maryland writers, poets, playwrights, and authors. Go to: www.MarylandWriters.org for more info.
Reader Responses: Last month we asked readers to write Fantasy like Wayne Thomas Batson and using 100 words, place a character into a setting that is entirely fictional but still contains elements that resemble the real world.
Steve Baker
May. 20, 2022DELAY OF AGE by Steve Baker - Hughesville: Smelling of Teen Spirit and Stridex, Buffy interviewed for a job at Amalgamated Widgets. Mr. Gizmo asked about her qualifications. Buffy panicked. Her only business experience was a 3rd grade lemonade stand which was still in default. Thinking quickly, Buffy answered: "I have an "A-" in Art History." Gizmo scoffed; so Buffy added: "I also have a "B+" in Basket Weaving." Gizmo smiled and congratulated Buffy saying: "Here's your paper hat! Enjoy working for minimum wage!" Moments later Buffy awoke to a cold sweat. It was only a dream. Buffy rolled over thinking to herself: "Thank goodness for college. I can put that nightmare off for another four years.
Doris Brady
May. 20, 2022Nick’s Choice by Doris Brady - LaVale: Nick and David had been friends since middle school. Their interests ranged from trading Pokemon cards to waging battles with Star Wars figures to the ultimate –designing Battlebots! In school, Nick was considered a jock because he played many different sports; David was the nerd – a stereotypical socially awkward brilliant kid with thick glasses. “Hey, Nick, you need to stop hanging around that Jew boy, or you can’t hang around with us,” demanded his teammates. “So what if he’s Jewish? What’s that to you?” “Our rules. In or out?” Nick called David. “Hey, you want to finish that bot tomorrow?”;
Jim Coleman
May. 20, 2022Too Soon by Jim Coleman – Ridgely: The old diesel tractor grudgingly snarled to life, as if it knew about the snow-drifted lane just outside the barn. The boy thought about the changes of the past year. His dad barely surviving two massive heart attacks in quick succession. His mother thrust back into the workforce after 15 years of being a stay-at-home mom with him and his younger sisters. His budding social life on indefinite pause as he took on roles once thought to be years away. He gunned the tractor out into the frigid wind. No use dwelling on things…it was what it was.
Brett Dimiao
May. 20, 2022Untitled by Brett Dimiao - Cumberland: Dason Mustafa-Lee woke, took off his headset, got off the couch and got some bars for him and his little brother and sister. His mom was still passed out. He could let her sleep it off. It was Tuesday, her free day. He made sure Bank and Jusuelinda had their laptops and masks before he walked them to the bus stop. His phone started blowing up. Bomb threat at Obama Middle. Again. “Guess it’s youtubes Tuesday, guys”.
Jon Ketzner
May. 20, 2022Can’t Be Cavalier by Jon Ketzner – Cumberland: Grayson slid into the booth across from his girlfriend Alice. “Hey, Wild Woman, excellent news! Got my letter from UVA today. We’re both going to be Wahoos. You won’t be able to cheat on me with those frat pukes after all.” He saw Alice’s red eyes. “Whoa, babe, what’s wrong?” “I’m late.” Grayson shrugged, “What do you mean you’re late. You got here before me.” “I’m late, I’m late, I’m late!” Alice dropped her head onto her forearm. Grayson’s first instinct was to remind his girlfriend that she was Alice, not the White Rabbit. Then, bang, his mental kill switch slammed on. “Oh,” he whispered, “you’re late.”
Lawrence McGuire
May. 20, 2022DEARTH & TAXES by Lawrence McGuire - Waldorf: Rocking on Mama's porch, Glytrona Watkins eavesdropped. Kin sweated in the parlor, first time since covid, Sunday dinner guests teasing Mama about Baby Gly's work permit. Her first job started tomorrow. Listen to them jabber, Gly thought. They viewed waiting picnic tables at Highway Ribbers Barbecue as her crossing the threshold into a soul-crushing life. You couldn't tell old folks different. She felt like strolling the dirt mile from their farmhouse to Stone Judgment Road and back. Gly stood up to start off. Mama shouldered open the screen door, its pneumatic closer sighing. "Child, time's come to wish family goodbye."
Carla Mancari
May. 20, 2022RISE OF THE COURAGEOUS – GUNS AND GUTS by Carla Mancari – Easton: In the aftermath of 17 killed, February 14, 2018, in a high school in Parkland, Florida, teens had the guts to stand up to the NRA. The teenagers were courageous, taking on the gun lobby with guts and tenacity. They were young solder civilians at war for schools. They had the guts that many politicians and adults sadly lacked. It took courage to journey from the relative known of their daily young lives to the reality of the impending adult world. Their path was a minefield of hate. Yes, it took courage; the teens possessed it.
H. H. Sparks
May. 20, 2022Untitled by H. H. Sparks – Greenbelt: “So, they started holding hands when we were at the movie and have been talking on the phone every evening since. She told me they were dating at lunch the other day. She said you were cool with it. That is why I am surprised to hear you say that you plan to ask him. I’m sorry. I thought you knew. You and Tina have been best friends for years. I mean why would she…oh, Caroline.” The betrayal stabbed at Caroline’s heart with every word that Amanda spoke. Tina and Jimmy, Jimmy and Tina – this whole time. THIS WHOLE TIME!