REFERENCE

If you’re here, you’re probably looking for help with reports. First off, thanks for choosing my books, and me. I really appreciate being an author you want to read! A few things you need to know:

The most important thing is you have to read the book(s)! Most of your questions will be answered by reading carefully, not just skimming. (They’re too good to skim over anyway.) Please don’t ask who the main characters are, or what the plot is. If you’ve read the book, you’ll know.

On themes. A theme is a universal idea or message that the book embodies. If your teacher asks you what the theme of the book is, it’s up to you to decide. I won’t give you that answer. Some common themes are lost love, betrayal, faith versus doubt, fear of failure, circle of life, quest for power, temptation, pride and downfall. For a list of 101 common themes, go here:

HTTP://HOMEWORKTIPS.ABOUT.COM/OD/WRITINGABOOKREPORT/A/THEMELIST.HTM\

I would love to be able to do a personal interview with each of you. Unfortunately, I simply don’t have the time. You will find most of the answers you need on this website. Feel free to quote this site as if you asked me these questions personally.

For information on me, please see my Bio page, which has my biographical info. There, you’ll also find answers to frequently asked questions. And each book has its own information page. Still other great information can be found on my Substack blog. Go ahead and sign up there for regular blog posts. ellenhopkins.substack.com.

If you still have questions you can’t find the answer to here, you mail email up to five questions to ellenhopkinsauthor@gmail.com.

I cannot read your writing and comment. There are legalities involved, but it’s mostly because I really don’t have the time. What am I doing? Traveling for book signings, book festivals, school or library events, and writers conferences; publicity; social networking; raising my grandson full-time, and a husband (both are labor-intensive); spending precious hours with my grown children, grandkids and friends; taking care of my home, yard and garden; depending on the time of year, canning vegetables or shoveling snow; caring for my animals; exercising so I can stay healthy; advocating for disenfranchised youth; political activism; and, of course, writing.

Some great websites for teen writers are: www.teenink.com, www.wattpad.com, and www.figment.com.

I wish I could clone myself so I could visit every school and town. There wouldn’t be enough time in my lifetime to do that, however. So I probably can’t come visit your school, unless a teacher or librarian arranges the visit. There is an honorarium and travel expenses required to bring me in. And, again because of time constraints, I can only do so many in a year. Some kids have done fundraisers to bring me in, and these still require an adult request. These can be made through AUTHOR.APPEARANCES@SIMONANDSCHUSTER.COM or by emailing me directly.