Entries by Julie Rubini

Great review from School Library Journal!

School Library Journal 12/01/2015 Gr 5–8—Rubini explores the life of Mildred “Millie” Benson, better known as Carolyn Keene, author of the “Nancy Drew” books. Readers will learn how Benson earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Iowa and wrote for the Stratemeyer Syndicate as a ghost writer under the pen name Carolyn […]

Backup

  If I were a singer, I’d love to have these ladies as my backup crew. But I’m not. However, as a children’s book author, I couldn’t come up with a better group to have my back than children’s librarians. And these ladies are no exception. I had the opportunity to meet with Mary Lou, […]

Great reviews for Millie!

My biography of Millie Benson is picking up some great press! Check out these excerpts from reviews of Missing Millie Benson: The Secret Case of the Nancy Drew Ghostwriter and Journalist: “Here is a biography intended for young people that may find its true audience among children’s literature history aficionados and—of course—adult readers who grew […]

Read, read, read.

“Read, read, read. That’s all I can say.” Nancy Drew offered this incredible advice in the first Nancy Drew Mystery Story, written by Carolyn Keene. I wished I’d written that. I’m sure that for years the real Carolyn Keene, Mildred “Millie” Augustine Wirt Benson, wished readers knew that she had. The Secret of the Old […]

Sharing the story with children’s librarians

I’m cheating here.  For this week’s blog entry I’m sharing one written about me. Thanks to Megan Smith for sharing my story with members of the Association for Library Service to Children. Enjoy! http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2015/09/interview-with-author-julie-k-rubini/

Balance

If you are anything like me, you struggle to balance all of the requirements of the various roles you play. I’m a list person. I think I have to be as a result of my dual Gemini personality. I’m fun, flighty and creative on one hand, and all business on the other. Throw in a […]

Defying Gravity

I’m stoked. I’m going to see my favorite musical artist in concert. Idina Menzel. Tomorrow night. With friends. I almost peed my pants just now even thinking about it. I’ve been listening to her radio station all morning while writing, researching and cleaning. Idina’s songs serve as the soundtrack of my life these last fifteen […]

Stuff dreams are made of

My editor sent me a note yesterday, sharing that my latest book, a middle-grade biography of Millie Benson, was mentioned in an article in Publisher’s Weekly. Get out of here. Publisher’s Weekly? That’s like my golf game garnering recognition in Golf Digest. I can only hope. The piece was titled, “Is Children’s Nonfiction Having Its […]

On Impact

The young woman walked confidently up to the wooden lectern, with the beautiful bright blue Jefferson Awards Foundation logo sparkling with all the camera flashes. Without hesitation she began her story. “At the age of eight my father was incarcerated for one hundred and thirty-five years. For several years my mother and I were left […]

Paying back

A friend recently told me that all the good stuff happening to me as of late was the universe paying me back. She also said she was waiting for the same in her life. “Hang in there,” I said. “It will happen.” My life proves that even though bad things do happen to good people, […]