
The Write Space is a monthly Q&A series from Creative Collective covering a local writer and a North Shore space(s) s/he associates with writing. Questions? Contact: ellorelizabeth@gmail.com.

Give us your best writerly bio.
Erin Dionne’s latest book for tweens is Lights, Camera, Disaster (Scholastic 2018). She’s the author of 5 other books for young readers, including the 2014 Edgar Award finalist Moxie and the Art of Rule Breaking (Dial 2013), and the 2013 Massachusetts Book Award Nominee The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet (Dial 2010). Her first picture book, Captain’s Log: Snowbound, released in 2018 from Charlesbridge Publishers. Her next novel, Secrets of a Fangirl (Scholastic) releases May 28, 2019. She’s an Associate Professor and the liberal arts division chair at Montserrat College of Art.
Tell us about a North Shore Write Space.
I love working at the Beverly Public Library. It’s a short walk from my office at Montserrat, and I’ve been known to tuck into a quiet corner and do some writing after meetings on days when I’m not teaching. Being surrounded by books and people who love them are always inspiring to me.

When I’m in North Shore, not writing, I’m …
Doing so many things…I’m teaching and working with students, visiting the Peabody Essex Museum, exploring Salem, and enjoying all the galleries and stores on Cabot St.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m almost done drafting a new novel for tweens about a vacation gone awry, and I have two picture book ideas that I’m tinkering with.

And finally –
Here’s the opening from my upcoming novel, SECRETS OF A FANGIRL. It’s about an 8th grade girl who chooses to hide her love for a fantasy book series because she’s afraid it will tarnish her cool kid image. It comes out May 28, but you can pre-order it now and get it from Cabot St Books when it’s here!
“Sarah Anne! Look!”
For the hundredth time, Dad grabs my arm and points. This time, it’s a life-sized Chewbacca with his weapon-thing.
“Yup. Cool,” I say, hoping my flat voice gives him the clue that I’m done goggling at the assorted aliens, superheroes, monsters, and zombies. I keep my eyes on the signs pointing us to Hall C, where we’ll find the Nightshade panel, and hope that my stomach settles by the time we get there.
Entering the MK Nightshade trivia contest seemed like a good idea at eleven p.m. on a random Tuesday in February. I was deep into my whatever-number reread of A Glut of Ghosts and had gone online looking for info about the release date of the movie. It wouldn’t be out until May, but the blinking banner on the movie page read: “MK Nightshade Ultimate Trivia Contest!!! Fantastic Fans Will Win Prizes!!” The questions were so easy. I thought I’d win a T-shirt, not an invitation to be on a panel at FanCon.
Find out more at –
My website, www.erindionne.com, and you can find my books at Cabot Street Books & Cards. You can order them through there and I’ll happily pop in and personalize them for you!

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