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David Michael Slater is the author of sixteen picture books, including Cheese Louise!; The Ring Bear (an SSLI Honor Book); Jacques & Spock (a Children's Book-of-the-Month Alternative Selection); and Flour Girl (Missy Swiss & More) (a 2008 Mom's Choice Award winner). Slater's teen series, SACRED BOOKS, launched with THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE (a finalist for the Association of Booksellers for Children's Best of 2008 list and Cybil Award nominee); Book 2, THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE, will be released Oct. 5. David’s novel for adults, SELFLESS, came out in March, 2009. Finally, he has a film in development, MOCHA COLA HIGH, with Right Angle Pictures. David teaches high school in Portland, Oregon, where he lives with his wife and son.

Thank you David for taking the time to answer some questions for us!  Please tell us about the latest project you've worked on.

It's been a big year! My first teen series, Sacred Books, debuted last fall with The Book of Nonsense. My first novel for adults, Selfless, came out in March. 7 picture books are scheduled for this fall, and Oct. 5th, Volume II of Sacred Books, THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE, will be released. Phew!
 
There's been talk since book one that Sacred Books develops in a controversial way. Book banning has been bandied about. Anything to that?

It's true that the series may upset some readers, starting with THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. It goes in a Da Vinci Code sort of direction, so if that kind of story upsets you, the series isn't for you. One reviewer has called it a mash up of Harry Potter, The Golden Compass and The Da Vinci Code. But, no, to this point, there's been no talk of banning. 'Course the book comes out today :)

Have you received any awards for your work?

THE RING BEAR was an SSLI Honor Book; JACQUES & SPOCK was a Children's Book-of-the-Month Club Alternate Selection; FLOUR GIRL won a Mom's Choice Award; and THE BOOK OF NONSENSE was a finalist for the Association of Booksellers for Children's Best Books 2008 list and a Cybil Award nominee.

Do you also do speaking engagements, or seminars?

I do school visits and presentations to all ages. Contact me via my website: www.davidmichaelslater.com.

How has your education, profession or background helped you in your writing career? Or conversely, how has you writing success helped you in your  profession?

I've taught 7th graders for 13 years, so I imagine that kept me in touch with teens. I now teach high school Writing. Being a published author has helped immensely in terms of having credibility with my students when it comes to writing instruction and encouragement.

What kind of other works (books, scripts, poems etc.) have you had published?

Kind of a long list!

Picture Books

CHEESE LOUISE , Whitecap Books, 2000
THE RING BEAR , Flashlight Press, 2004
JACQUES & SPOCK, Clarion Books, 2004
THE TOOL / FLOUR GIRL / NED LOSES HIS HEAD / 7 ATE 9 / MISSY SWISS / COMIN' THROUGH, Magic Wagon, 2007
THE BORED BOOK, Simply Read Books, 2009
NED'S NOSE IS RUNNING / NED BREAKS HIS HEART / A WRENCH IN THE WORKS / ON THE LEVEL / MILO / BATTLE OF THE BOOKS,
Magic Wagon, 2009

Teen novels

Sacred Books Series, Blooming Tree Books/CBAY:
THE BOOK OF NONSENSE, Oct. 14, 2008
THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE, 2009
THE BOOK OF MAPS, 2010
THE BOOK OF ALL THINGS, 2011

Adult fiction

THE BOOK OF LETTERS (collection), Evermore Books, fall, 2009
SELFLESS (novel), Absey & Co.,  April, 2009

Film

MOCHA COLA HIGH, in development with Right Angle Pictures
 
Is there any aspect to your profession that gets you in touch with your readers directly?

I blog on my author page at Amazon and love to get replies from folks. Also happy to include people on my Facebook pages. Email me at david@davidmichaelslater.com!

What will your next project be?

I am working on the fifth book in the Sacred Books series, THE BOOK OF THE LIVING. I'm hoping to wind up with six books.

It's highly unusual to find an author publishing picture books and novels for both teens and adults. What type of work is the most rewarding or satisfying for you?

Actually, I enjoy writing for all three audiences. I guess it's because I enjoy reading books for all three.

What can you recommend for writers who are just getting started and are trying to make a name for themselves?

Don't be discouraged by rejection. Persistence is every bit as crucial to success as talent. If you believe in your work, don't give up until you find someone else who does, too.

How did you get started as a writer?

I wrote a one act play in college that got produced in a small Michigan theater. Later, I started writing literary shot stories in graduate school and got a few published. On a whim, I turned one of those stories into a children's piece and wound up going in that direction. Then, the novels!

Which is your favorite book/work published? Is there a favorite?

Reading the short stories of Jorge Luis Borges is what got me started as a writer. A quote of his begins all the books in the Sacred Books series.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

I teach full time, so I write whenever I get a tiny bit of time. Summers are a huge help.

Finally, a most important question: what was the last song you sang out loud when you were by yourself?  :)

Hmm. Highly likely some classic by Elton John.

Thanks for having me!!

Thank you David! We're looking forward to your new release!