www.girlwise.com

Julia DeVillers, of Columbus, Ohio, has had the publishing bug since she and her twin sister competed for the Young Author's prize in school. Today she is married to a federal prosecutor, has two young children and a thriving career as a savvy author for teens. She is the author of Girlwise: How to Be Confident, Capable, Cool and In Control (Random House, 2002). Here's what Julia had to say when interviewed by SCBWI Ohio recently (watch our events calendar - Julia will be doing a workshop for Ohio SCBWI soon!)

SCBWI Ohio: Tell us a little about yourself and how you ended up as a popular writer for teens.

Julia DeVillers: I grew up in Albany, NY. My twin sister and I idolized authors and both have reached our childhood dreams of being published! I was the kid who wrote to my favorite authors, and have had a long-lasting penpal relationship with the wonderful Frank Bonham (who has written 50+ mysteries and westerns). I moved to Columbus and got my master's degree in journalism and took grad courses in children's literature with the inspiring author/professor Janet Hickman at Ohio State. I then worked for a small educational publishing company that grew rapidly and was eventually sold to McGraw-Hill. Three years ago, I ventured into the freelance market.

I'm married to David, a US Attorney who prosecutes gangs and I consider myself mostly a stay at home mom with the author-thing going on after my two young children's bedtime and on weekends.

SCBWI: Your books are unique. Please tell us about your process and approach.

JD: I found that the non-fiction textbooks and videos I worked on for preteens and teens received a really great response so it was an easy segue for me to begin writing books for preteens and teens. I really want to empower girls in an entertaining, parent-friendly yet cool manner, and that has been my focus in my last few books. I love writing for girls, and lean toward the contemporary humorous style.

SCBWI: What's new and exciting and forthcoming in your publishing life?

JD: Fiction! I hope. My agent is pitching my first novel for preteen girls, a contemporary and empowering book. I'm very excited about it. I also have some more nonfiction titles in various stages (see Julia's publication list at the end of this interview or on her website at www.girlwise.com).

I'll be on a panel of speakers at the Book Expo in Los Angeles in May, along with Megan Mcafferty (author of Sloppy Firsts), Carolyn Mackler, (author of Love and Other Four Letter Words), a senior editor from Teen People and Rachel Weingarten from Planet Pretty.com. We are speaking on how to reach girl readers using the Internet. I'm psyched for that!

SCBWI: Any advice for writers and illustrators?

JD: Getting to know the business end of publishing has been invaluable. I learned a lot from my jobs, which involved me in the entire book process: writing, editing, supervising design and production and marketing and promotion of books. Being an editor (although textbooks are an entirely different beast from trade books) helped me respect deadlines and see things from the editorial perspective.

I have always read Publishers Weekly for fun, even when I was in school. I'm just fascinated with this business. But you certainly don't have to be a publishing-nerd like me all your life to be a writer!!!!!

Join SCBWI. Go to conferences. I've snagged an agent, a publisher, and lots of good connections by going to conferences. Every time I've gone I've come home with a career boost. I love to connect with other authors, too.

SCBWI: Any words of wisdom or recommending reading?

JD: Read Writer's Market, Writer's Guide, the SCBWI bulletin. Publishers Lunch email newsletters always intrigue me to see who has signed new deals.

I wrote a short piece called Breaking into Book Publishing that appeared in several editions of The Writer's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors and Agents. If anyone wants me to email it to them, they can contact me at my website: www.girlwise.com.

SCBWI: You are a savvy marketer. How necessary is it that writers/illustrators be good marketers these days?

JD: Thanks for the compliments. Marketing is huge. The first trade book I coauthored was called You Can Make It Big Writing Books. One chapter I researched was on how authors can publicize their books. I interviewed publicists and authors and every single one of them emphasized that promoting their books was critical. Some were introverts and really had to push themselves to do it. Others loved it. But all said that was what really contributed to their book success.

I've had fun with marketing, from booksignings (check your July/August 2002 SCBWI Bulletin for my article on promoting to teens) to interviews to public speaking.

SCBWI note: Watch our website for details of Julia's workshop on Marketing at an upcoming Medina SCBWI meeting.

Girlwise: How to Be Confident, Capable, Cool and In Control (Random House Prima Publishing). Now in its second printing. Girlwise includes advice from Meg Cabot (Princess Diaries), Hillary Carlip (Girl Power), Marci Shimoff (Chicken Soup for the Women's Soul), and the editors and publishers from YM, CosmoGIRL, Teen People and ELLEGirl.

Teen Girlfriends: Celebrating the Good Times, Getting Through the Hard Times (Wildcat Canyon's Girlfriends Series, 2001)

You Can Make It Big Writing Books, co-authored with literary agents Jeff Herman and Deborah Levine Herman (Random House Prima Publishing, 1999).

Breaking the Tape: Sports Heroes who Ran Ahead, co-authored with former Teen magazine managing editor Karle Dickerson (May 2003)

The Dorm Survival Guide (Random House, 2004) (and an untitled book to be announced at a later date)

www.girlwise.com

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