Tony Abbott
Professional Title: M.F.A. Creative Writing Faculty
Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise:
Fiction, Writing for Young People
Representative List of Recent Courses Taught:
Distance-Learning Courses:
· Creative Writing I-IV
· Craft and Reflection I-III
· Graduating Seminar Preparation
· Creative Thesis
Residency Seminars:
· In Cold Print: The Cross Pollination of Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry
· The Mind’s Eye: Visible Language in Fiction
Education: B.A., English, University of Connecticut
Representative List of Recent Publications / Exhibitions:
Children’s Series:
Underworlds (Scholastic 2012)
Goofballs (Egmont 2012)
The Haunting of Derek Stone (Scholastic 2009)
The Secrets of Droon (Scholastic 1999-2010)
Danger Guys (1994-96)
Novels:
Lunch-Box Dream (2011)
The Postcard (2008)
Firegirl (2006)
Kringle (2005)
Teaching Philosophy: Every student entering Lesley's WFYP program offers a fresh voice for young readers, one that hasn't been heard before. Each semester is a journey to reveal and nurture that voice. Because children and young adults are defined by their openness, their playful imaginations, their uncertainty about themselves, their vulnerability to ignorance, and their awareness of so very much, I challenge WFYP students to write at the highest level.
Our workshops are honest and deep, rarely heartbreaking, often hilarious, incisive, and energizing. In our weeks of distance learning, I respond to each manuscript as a writer who has suffered/enjoyed much editing. Throughout, I challenge my students to look deeply into how one writes successfully for the most vibrant-tender-weak-funny-intelligent-confused-open-strong-snarky audience there is. Students learn to scrutinize every word, sentence, and paragraph, dissect character and emotional thread, and shape scenes, chapters, and overall story in the tradition of the best writing for young people.
I've written fantasy and realistic novels; I also have an interest in comedic writing at all age levels. My passions include 20th century American literature (which students certainly hear about), music, and art, as well as British and Irish poetry of the last half-century.
Affiliations: Editor-in-chief of the literary blog, Friday Book Report
Awards: SCBWI's 2006 Golden Kite Award for Fiction, 2008 Edgar Allan Poe Award from the Mystery Writers of America, Junior Library Guild selection, Children's Book of the Month Club selection, Texas Library Association Bluebonnet finalist, State Library of Ohio's Choose to Read Ohio selection.
Website:tonyabbottbooks.com