Author Bio:
Tamera Will Wissinger writes poetry and stories for children. She is the author of GONE FISHING: A Novel in Verse, GONE CAMPING: A Novel in Verse, both published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers, THIS OLD BAND, and THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO GOBBLED A SKINK both published by Sky Pony Press. She has shared her reading and writing joy and encouragement with thousands of young people and adults. Tamera earned her Master of Fine Arts in Writing degree from Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She grew up in Iowa and lives in south Florida.
Author Photo:
Reviews of GONE FISHING: A Novel In Verse:
"This book might inspire some to pursue an interest in fishing, but it will surely encourage all of them to delve into the world of poetry." –School Library Journal STARRED Review FULL REVIEW
"Just the thing for readers with a burgeoning interest in poetry—or angling." - Publishers Weekly FULL REVIEW
"A playful verse narrative of the joys and perils of a family fishing trip. . . . This tender, well-crafted sibling story should hook many readers." - Kirkus Reviews FULL REVIEW
"Engaging verse that's just the right depth and length for chapter-book readers. . . A solid, entertaining story to hook children on poetry." - Booklist
"All of Sam's episodes take the form of poems, each discreetly labeled by its poetic form, which is then defined at the end of the book. . . most will enjoy the notion that there are as many ways to tell a tale as to catch a fish." - Bulletin
Writing Craft Essays That Tamera Wrote
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Feature article on Caroline Starr Rose's Blog Caroline by line Why Poetry Matters
Monday, April 22, 2013
Feature article on E. Kristin Anderson's Blog Write All The Words! A MIGHTY BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER: THE UNLIKELY INFLUENCE Les Misérables HAD ON Gone fishing: A Novel In Verse
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Feature article on Gabrielle Prendergast's Blog Verse Novels Why Write a Novel In Verse?
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Feature article on Smack Dab in the Middle (a middle grade authors' blog) Just a Day At The Lake
Overview: Using the "Spring Break" Smack Dab March theme, Tamera shares how a day at the lake helped inspire the poetry for GONE FISHING.
October 19, 2012 on The Class of 2k13 Blog GONE FISHING: A Novel in Verse – An Apples to (Caramel) Apples Comparison
December 7, 2012 on The Class of 2k13 Blog GONE FISHING: A Novel in Verse – An Unconventional Crossroad of Children’s Literature
Interviews & Book Features
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Interview with Marsha Qualey at The Storyteller's Inkpot
~~~~~
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Interview with Barry Eva on A Book and a Chat
~~~~~
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
New Voices Interview with Cynthia Leitich Smith
~~~~~
April, 2013
The Ink Splat feature with Naomi Kinsman at Society of Young Inklings
~~~~~
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Interview with Britta for the Stand Alone Reading Challenge
Overview: Britta asks me a light-hearted "this or that" series of questions that I answered from the perspective of main character, Sam.
~~~~~
Friday, March 8, 2013
Interview with Author & Editor Chuck Sambuchino at Writers Digest Guide to Literary Agents Blog
~~~~~
Interview with Orchid at the middle grade book feature website The Haunting of Orchid
Overview: Orchid offers an eclectic range of questions about writing, poetry, and fishing.
~~~~~
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Interview with middle grade author and poet Skila Brown at One Four Kid Lit
Overview: Skila asks about the unconventional blend of a verse story for younger readers.
~~~~~
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
GONE FISHING RELEASES!
Interview with my Lucky 13 middle grade author friend Liesl Shurtliff at The Lucky 13s
Overview: Liesl delves into the benefits of poetry reading for non-poets.
~~~~~
GONE FISHING featured by my Class of 2k13 classmate, YA author Lydia Kang, at her blog The Word Is My Oyster
~~~~~
Interview with Author Caela Carter at Teen Writers Block
~~~~~
Nancy J. Cavanaugh wished a happy book birthday to me at Nancy's Book Bag
~~~~~
Gabrielle Prendergast celebrated the release of GONE FISHING at versenovels.com
~~~~~
Monday, March 4, 2013 Interview with my Class of 2k13 middle grade author friend Polly Holyoke at Class of 2k13
Overview: In this creativity-based interview Polly asks about writing to capture the anticipation that children feel so strongly.
GONE FISHING featured by my dear writing friend, picture book author (and critique partner extraordinaire) Jamie A. Swenson
~~~~~
Friday, March 1, 2013 Interview with Carmela Martino at Teaching Authors
Overview: In this teaching-based interview, Carmela asks about education and the path to publication, and provides a sneak peek poem from GONE FISHING.
~~~~~
December 20, 2012
Interview at Stacked Books
