About the Author

Gail Carson Levine
About the Author

Gail Carson Levine’s first passion in life was not writing. Initially, Levine desired to be an actress or a painter. Born on September 17, 1947, Levine grew up in New York City with her family. The Carson family greatly appreciated the arts. Her father was an owner of a commercial art studio and her mother was a teacher. Levine comments, “I grew up in New York City. My father was interested in writing and my mother wrote full-length plays in rhyme for her students to perform. Both of them had an absolute reverence for creativity and creative people, a reverence that was passed along to my sister and me. My sister, Rani, is a wonderful painter of Jamaican subjects and a professor of fine arts.” During her childhood, Gail drew pictures, performed in plays, and loved books.

Initially, she believed her love was centered on painting until she decided to take a class on writing and illustrating children’s books. Her interest in painting led her to writing children’s books. During the class, Levine states, “I discovered that my negative, critical voice is quiet when I write, and I like my writing. I’ve since realized that the negative voice I used to hear was my internal enemy, the enemy of my creativity. I think lots of people hear a voice like that, and we all have to learn to tell it to shut up!” Levine found herself being way too critical of her work concerning painting and drawing. Ultimately, this class led her to discover where her true creative force lied within herself.

Levine developed a growing interest for writing. She continued to write several books, and presented them to practically every available publishers. Levine faced a rugged road of rejection, but was able to persevere with patience and determination. Her continual patience endured a nine-year struggle of constant rejections by nearly every publisher in the United States. Finally, two publishers accepted her first book, Ella Enchanted on April 17, 1996. Levine sided with Harper Collins because they liked her story best in its original form. She was fifty years old when Ella Enchanted was published. She discovered the following from her journey, “Take advantage of the wonderful community of writers for children—who are always ready with helpful criticism and support in the struggle to succeed. And be patient—writing and glaciers advance at about the same speed.” The rest is history. Ultimately, the book received the Newbery Honor Award. Her life drastically changed from this phenomenal achievement. After spending approximately thirty years as a welfare administrator, Levine left her job to be a full-time writer. When Ella Enchanted was declared a Newbery Honor Book, foreign rights were sold, invitations were extended by teachers, students, and parents to hear Levine speak, there was a movie option, and new book contracts gravitated towards her.

In addition to her success, Gail Carson Levin continues to create artistic works with paints and oils in her home in Brewster, New York. She actively participates in a group writing club and writing classes. Levine gives advice to aspiring young writers in workshops an hour a week. She volunteers her time to teach children creative writing. Some of her influential advice includes the following: “Save everything you write. I think kids abandon stories all the time. They start stories and get frustrated or get a different, better idea. I think that it is more worthwhile to stick with a story and revise it and try to finish it than abandon ship. Revisions, for any writer, are the name of the game.”

On one last note, Levine draws upon her past experiences to demonstrate to inspirational writers that anything is possible. Levine notes, “Nowadays, when I visit schools, I often read my worst rejection letter to the kids. That letter, which made me miserable at the time, no longer has the power to hurt me. Nowadays, it’s now a prized possession, a symbol of never giving up.” Levine persevered to spark the imagination of many people, and today she continues to motivate and encourage the youth to follow their dreams.

Children's Focus at the WLA/PNLA Joint Conference. (2004) Alki, 10-12. Retrieved March 2, 2005 from Wilson Biographies Plus Illustrated database.

Gail Carson Levine. (2004, April 15). Contemporary Authors Online. Retrieved March 2, 2005 from Gale Literary database.

Gail Carson Levine. Retrieved at Harperschildrens.com. 3, March 2005. http://www.harperchildrens.com/hch/author/author/levine/interview.asp/

Interview with Children's and YA Author Gail Carson Levine. (2004, March) Cynthia Leitich Smith. Retrieved March 1, 2005 from Teaching Books.netdatabase.

McGinty, Alice B. (2003). About the Author: Meet Gail Carson Levine. New York:The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.

Questions? Contact Stephanie Anaya at anayasd@uwec.edu
Page Last Updated November 10, 2005

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