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MEET SUSAN GOLDMAN RUBIN: (Keynote Speaker 2009)
Leo Politi Golden Author Award 2010
By Ann Stalcup

What did you most like to do when you were a child?

Susan Goldman Rubin

I liked to "play pretend." I'd make up stories and act them out. Or make up stories with paper dolls. And I also loved to draw. I had a cigar box full of crayons that were very precious to me. I can still see them. I listened to the radio a lot and, of course, read. When I was old enough I walked to the library every Friday after school to borrow books and return the ones I had finished reading.

What books influenced you most when you were growing up?

Books set in England such as the Mary Poppins series,then TENNIS SHOES, BALLET SHOES, the series by of England seemed an ideal place to me as I grew up in the Bronx. I greatly enjoyed humor and the booksby Cornelia Otis Skinner. I also loved books aboutballerinas and any biographies that gave me role models. And, of course, the Nancy Drew mysteries. Iloved those even though I had no idea what a "roadster" was. In those days most women, including my mother, did not drive, especially in New York City.I must also mention that I adored books about big families such as "Cheaper by the Dozen." And one of the most memorable was "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" which I gave to my own daughter when she was 11 or 12.

Did you write stories when you were growing up at school or at home, or did you ever have moments when you decided that you were going to be a writer when you grew up?

No. I had no thoughts about being a writer. I wanted to be an artist and illustrate children's books.

What did you most like to do when you were a child?

I liked to "play pretend." I'd make up stories and act them out. Or make up stories with paper dolls. And I also loved to draw. I had a cigar box full of crayons that were very precious to me. I can still see them.I listened to the radio a lot and, of course, read. When I was old enough I walked to the library every Friday after school to borrow books and return the ones I had finished reading.

 When you went to college, were you already pursuing a writing or illustrating career, or just studying art in general?

I was an English major because my parents thought that studying studio art would be a "waste" for me since I

was such a good student. What a pity. However, I loved my classes and did an independent studies program. I had dreams of getting a scholarship and going to Cambridge for graduate work. Yet I still hoped to illustrate children's books and had an assignment from a librarian while I was at college.

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

I started writing because I had nothing to illustrate. I got married the day I graduated college and wound up in a suburb of Los Angeles with 2 little children and not enough money to go to New York and show what I thought was a portfolio. So I started writing my own could submit to editors. I wrote everyday stories about family life because that seemed to be what interested my young children the most.

What audience did you have in mind when you did decide on a career as a writer?

Definitely children. I planned to have 5 and do my work at home while raising them. It never occurred to me how much work would be involved in both careers. I wound up with 4 children of my own and 2 stepchildren.

How soon after that was your first book published?

It took 5 years to get my first book published. I experienced a number of rejections that were very helpful. Each editor who took the time to give me comments told me something that made the story stronger. I learned by doing. It took 5 years to get my first book published and that was 1976, The book stayed in print for 20 years!

What are the topics of some of your books?

During these past few years I have focused on non-fiction, especially Judaica themes and fine art. I deeply love art and want to share that pleasure with children. It's a joy to research the stories behind paintings that I love and understand more about them myself. And to present those stories in an entertaining yet accurate way.

Do you prefer writing fiction or nonfiction? Do you find one easier to write than the other?

I find non-fiction easier than fiction. I've written a couple of middle grade novels and some YA mysteries but I most enjoy telling other people's true life stories rather than making up my own.

Have any of your books earned special recognition?

Yes, Just about all of my books have earned awards and honors. That amazes me and is so thrilling.

Do you enjoy researching or do you prefer working totally from your imagination?

I LOVE research! Sometimes it's hard to stop researching and start writing. But then I go back and look up more information that I need for a particular chapter or section. I especially like to do primary research--that is, talking to people, interviewing in person or by phone and email, reading newspapers, diaries, letters, and going through archives rather than just rehashing what someone else has already written.

Do you work on more than one book at a time?

Yes.  I'm presently working on revisions of two biographies, one due to be published in 2009, the other in 2010.  The text of another biography is finished but my editor and I still have to work on the photos and memorabilia to be used for illustrations, and I have to write the captions. I'm also starting the first draft of a book on contemporary art for MOCA ( Museum of Contemporary Art) here in Los Angeles.  And I'm about to research (in greater depth) two more books under contract, one on the artist Diego Rivera, and the other, a Holocaust story.

Which of your books did you most enjoy writing?

I love them all.  Most of the books I do are my own ideas and when I start working on them, I'm excited about immersing myself in the  material. I even dream about them at night.

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

This is my lucky year.  I guess I'm a "late bloomer" because I have quite a few projects under contract.  A biography of "Young Leonard  Bernstein" is due to be published by Charlesbridge in 2010 or 2011.  I've also done a book about Jean Laffite, a Jewish pirate of the Caribbean for Abrams that is currently being illustrated and will be out in 2011.  I'm writing a biography of Georgia O'Keeffe for older readers for Chronicle that will be released in 2010.  As I mentioned earlier, I'm in the midst of doing a book on contemporary art for MOCA ( Museum of Contemporary Art) here in Los Angeles and that's a fascinating project.  I've also signed up to do an amazing Holocaust story about a Righteous Gentile for Holiday House but I want to keep that under wraps.  And I'm about to start writing the first draft of my book on Diego Rivera for Abrams.  I'm also continuing my Modern Masters board book series for Chronicle and have submitted a proposal with a new idea.

Do you write every day and do you have set hours that you work?

I usually work every day, even on the weekends.  I like to stay in touch with my material and keep up the momentum.  Since I'm a morning person I begin after breakfast, around 8 am, and have a fifteen-minute lunch break around 12:30, then back to it. By 4 or 4:30 I'm running out of steam, and usually go to the gym to work out. Then home to fix dinner.  I don't like to work at night--I'm just too tired.

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

My latest book from Holiday House, THE ANNE FRANK CASE: Simon Wiesenthal's Search for the Truth has just been released.  And my two newest board books in the Modern Masters series from Chronicle, "Magritte's Imagination" and "Jacob Lawrence in the City," are now available.

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

All of the above! These elements are terribly important in writing nonfiction to keep the narrativlively and engaging while accurate.

Do you have a fan letter that you would like to share?

Yes. Just today I received a most gratifying letterfrom a 7th grader in Teaneck, New Jersey, who readTHE CAT WITH THE YELLOW STAR: COMING OF AGE IN TEREZIN, a book I co-authored with Ela Weissberger,a survivor of Terezin and the Holocaust. The student said she was so touched by Ela's story that she wantsEla to be her subject for a school project ontolerance and friendship. And this girl is notJewish--she's African American. I can't tell you how moved I was to receive her note.

Is there anything about yourself that you'd like to share?

I love movies as much as I love reading. Every day I read a story before I can go to sleep.