Hi Amanpreet! Oh my goodness, yes, I do remember you! And you certainly have no need to apologize, I was really moved and delighted by your messages. I am really tuoched to know that you even remember them, and that you’ve stuck to your goals and are studying medicine. I am only now getting to the guestbook messages of the last entire year, having set things aside during the pandemic, but it makes me happy to read this one. I am safe and well, and I hope you are too. All my best to you, good luck with your studies, and do keep in touch, OK?

Hi, Tristan! Thanks so much for this beautifully thoughtful message, and so sorry it fell victim to my falling behind on this guestbook during the pandemic. I did have big plans for the development of the Watchers series, and so did my editor. Unfortunately the series was pulled by the publisher after the first six books. I was very sad to leave it hanging like that, and so no, you are certainly not being selfish. I agree that as a reader you did deserve the full development, and I wish I could have given you that.

Hi, Caleb! I’ve fallen so far behind my messages during the pandemic and trying to catch up. Thank you very much for reaching out, and I am delighted you’re enjoying the books!

Hi, Tracy! I confess I’m digging through a year’s worth of guestbook messages, which I’ve badly neglected during the pandemic. My apologies. As for Spy X, this is a question I get quite often! Yes, it did leave a lot hanging, and I had planned to write a Book 5.  Actually, the publisher had asked me to write a book 5 and book 6, and then they unexpectedly decided not to publish them.  I never quite understood why, but there you have it. I wish that hadn’t happened, but I am so glad you enjoyed the series!

Hi, Adam! I’m guilty of seriously neglecting this guestbook during the pandemic, and also a bit aghast that I left you hanging more than a year ago (!!!). So very sorry. As to your question: well, you didn’t mention how old you were, but I’m guessing you’re still in school. My best advice would be pretty simple: keep writing. Keep developing your skills. Keep letting whatever sparks you find its way from your brain to the page (or screen!). For now, develop your craft rather than think about being published. It’s so very competitive and you’ve got to be as good as the very best writers even to get your foot in the door. Plus, you’ll need to be represented by an agent, and it takes a lot of time to develop those connections.  The more you’ve written, the greater chance you’ll draw interest to yourself as a writer.  You may want to think about entering a writing contest, like the Scholastic Writing Awards.  If you’re college age or older, yes, you should start seeking out agents. One way to meet them is by joining SCBWI and going to some of their conventions, where you can meet tons of publishing people, attend seminars, and join a critique group.  Keep at it.  Write great stories, and when you’re done, write better ones.  Then better ones.  The best people always rise to the top.  Always.  I hope you do too.  But it’s all about the work.  I hope I see your name in print someday. That’s pretty general, I know, but I hope it helps!

Hi, Jill! What a lovely message, thank you so much. I am so sorry to have taken so long to respond, but life has been complicated these last few months! It’s so great to know that the Watchers series is still being read and loved, and if you have any questions about any of my books, I’m happy to answer them. I hope you, your family, and your students are safe and healthy. 

Sadly, no. There were 1600 kids in my college class, so it was easy NOT to know someone. Maybe if I had, my life would have been different. I might have become a tech geek. And then I never would have become an author and visited Freeport Memorial Library!

It was a book of puzzles and games, with the amazing title ... Puzzles and Games!

Hi Arielle. Actually I didn’t go to law school. I was about to go, but I decided to put it off for a year and try to do the things I really dreamed of doing, like acting on stage and writing. I ended up doing those things, and I enjoyed it so much I canceled my plans for law school!

I always wanted to write books, even when I was a kid. I just loved telling stories and watching people react. And I loved reading stories. A really good story could be such a great escape for me. I would get so involved reading books, hours would go by in the snap of a finger. When I read books by great authors, it made me want to be a professional writer.