Back to Featured Interviews >>

MEET PAM CALVERT
by Bonnie O'Brian

Did you write stories when you were growing up?

Pam Calvert

Actually, I tried writing several awful stories and even wrote many comic strips (which I thought were funny). In fifth grade, I wrote a science fiction piece about Martian Mice invading the earth. Yeah, I know. The teacher thought it was dumb, too. I got a C. LOL! 

If you didn’t write as a child, then when did you start writing and what inspired you to start?

I always participated in literary groups and was in Great Books as an elementary child. Then I made sure I was in the highest English classes because I had a passion for books and writing. I didn’t formally write for publication until I wrote a running club newsletter in 1993. It won awards and I got paid for a few articles in running magazines. Then I was offered a women’s running column in a magazine, so I was hooked. I’ve been writing ever since.

Was your first book accepted immediately? or did you experience a number of rejections?

When I first started writing articles for running magazines, my first submission got accepted (and I was paid). For children’s writing, it took nine months. I got a fiction story accepted in Nature’s Friend magazine while I was taking ICL (Institute for Children’s Literature.) For children’s books, it took six years of submitting. I received over 100 rejections in the process. I’m now the proud owner of over 160 rejections!

What gave you the idea for  PRINCESS PEEPERS?

The idea came from a combination of things. A lady asked me if I could write a book about a princess with glasses or if I knew of a book like that because her little girl wouldn’t wear glasses since princesses don’t. I found that odd, so I did some research and found it was indeed true! Princesses don’t wear glasses. Immediately, I set out to correct that situation and along the way, help the self esteem of little girls. I knew the hardships of being different—I wore glasses as a child and suffered a lot of teasing.

What are you working on now?  When do you expect to start submitting it to publishers?

I’m in the process of brainstorming a YA book that’s been with me for about eight years. It started out as an adult book but has morphed into YA. I’ve been putting it off, but I believe now is the right time to write it. It’s a dystopian novel set in the future with two main characters told from their point of view. There’s a lot of research needed for the book and I think that’s why I’ve put it off. It should be done by the end of next year. I will then start searching for agents.

When is your next book going to be in book stores?

Funny you should ask! I’m working on a revision of my next book, MULTIPLYING MENACE DIVIDES! It will be released in 2011 by Charlesbridge Publishing. It outlines division concepts in an exciting way. Rumpelstiltskin is back and this time-- he has another evil twist up his sleeve. Will the kingdom survive the division? We’ll see!

Do you like to include humor in your stories? Or adventure? Or mystery?

I always include humor into to my work. Princess Peepers is a great example of situational and slapstick humor that I adore. I have many, many other works that aren’t published yet are very funny (I’ve been told) and I’m hoping they will make it into the hands of children one day. There’s nothing better than to give a presentation and hear the laughter of children when I read my work. What joy!

What do you most want the students to get out of your school visits?

I want them to be inspired to achieve their dreams. That’s the theme of every school visit I do. I also show that math is very fun and interesting when presenting my math adventures.

Has anyone ever written you a fan letter that you’d like to share?

Yes. I’ve had several—the most recent one was from a girl who wears glasses who thanked me for the book. She said it made her feel special and she sent a picture of herself with glasses. She also created a pop-up glasses thank you card. Very sweet! I’ve also received a letter as far as Scotland from a mother telling me PRINCESS PEEPERS is her 3 year old daughter’s favorite. The poor thing has to wear glasses, too. She sent a beautiful picture to me. I never get tired of hearing from fans.