Bio:

Before earning a BA in English and a master’s degree in journalism, I cut my publishing teeth freelancing articles, many of them to the National Wildlife Federation’s Ranger Rick nature magazine. My children’s nature field guide, What’s Under that Rock?, was published by Atheneum in 1985. Since then, my interest has shifted from nonfiction to storytelling. I'm especially drawn to picture books.

Twenty-plus years in print communications has made me comfortable with deadlines. While employed at a state university, I wrote news articles and curriculum material. During my time at a large insurance company, I produced everything from matchbooks to a 24-page magazine. (Ask me about the cans full of $5 bills.) The arts agency I worked for needed teaching, marketing, and fundraising pieces. In all of these situations, my role was writer, editor, designer, and, sometimes, paste-up person. That's right. Paste-up. When I started working, desktop publishing was not at all widespread.

My short term goal is to release a couple of really well-crafted children’s books every year. Long term, I hope to generate a significant part of my income from writing, author visits, and collateral product sales. Toward this end I am at my computer every day, active in my critique group, and mindful of the resources provided by SCBWI. In 2009 I attended the SCBWI summer conference in Los Angeles, where Allyn Johnston of Beach Lane Books gave me a very useful critique of my manuscript The Best Book.



Writer
PAL
Member since 1988
Region: Kansas

Contact Information

Email:  stephenmhoffman@yahoo.com
Current Location:   Salina

Published In Children's Market: Yes
Available for Speaking Engagements? Yes