Are you writing a school report? Here are the facts:

Name: Anastasia Suen

Childhood homes: I lived in Calfornia and Florida as a child.

Current home: Plano, Texas

Ideas: Ideas are everywhere: home, school, books, magazines, newspapers, the internet and TV! There is always something interesting to explore.

Childhood writing: I wrote my first picture book when I was eleven and I've been writing ever since. (I wrote hundreds of manuscripts and collected rejection letters for years!)

Published writing: I've sold 166 books for children and adults: board books, picture books, easy readers, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, and professional books for adults. In addition to my monthly Booklist's Quick Tips for Schools & Libraries column, I've also written articles, poems, and stories for textbooks, magazines, and the web.

Ghostwriting: I have worked as a ghostwriter many times over the years. That means I write the book and someone else's name goes on the cover. For many of these books I am asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement saying that I will not talk about the work. It's confidential. I am allowed to say that I have worked as a ghostwriter for 6 Jake Maddox books and for Book #128 of The Boxcar Children Mysteries.

Day Jobs: Writing teacher, children's literature consultant, and visiting author. I have also worked as an editor, taught kindergarten ESL, first, fifth and sixth grades, taught teachers for Staff Development for Educators, co-taught children's literature at the University of North Texas, and taught writing at Southern Methodist University.

Hobbies: Reading, blogging, and watching mysteries on TV.

Awards: Association of Educational Publishers' Award (Wild Animals series), Best Girl Reader (second grade), New York Times Best Illustrated Book (Window Music), Nick Jr. Best Book (Toddler Two Dos años), Smithsonian Notable Book (Baby Born), Time Magazine Best Book (Window Music).

Please note: After my sister had her identity stolen I stopped giving out my birth date and place.