Marlene perez author biography sample

Unexpected Development by Marlene Perez (Roaring Brook, 2004). What did Megan do over her summer vacation, Mrs. Westland? Sex. That’s what she relates in her answering essay. But that’s not all. Megan also works at a pancake house, fends off sexual harassment, contemplates breast reduction surgery, and finds herself overwhelmed when a crush turns into a real boyfriend with everything that implies. Highly recommended. Ages 12-up. More on Unexpected Development from Cynsations.

Marlene Perez on Marlene Perez: “I’m the youngest of twelve children. I credit my love of reading to my siblings because they taught me to read before kindergarten. I grew up in Story City, a small town in Iowa. My parents divorced when I was a baby, and my mom raised us by herself. I now live in Orange County, California, also known as ‘The OC.’ I’m married with two great kids and a wonderful, supportive husband. We also have a cat, a dog, and a corn snake. I’m not so fond of the snake, but I am getting used to it.” Read Marlene Perez’s Journal.

What was your initial inspiration for writing Unexpected Development (Roaring Brook, 2004)?

Like Megan, the main character in Unexpected Development, I developed early and plentifully. I also worked in a pancake house during high school and college. I still have nightmares where I’m the only server in a packed restaurant. The other inspiration was that, in my own experience, anyhow, a lot of people didn’t realize that their perceptions/assumptions about girls with large breasts were NOT factually based and could be hurtful.

What was the timeline from spark to publication, and what were the major events along the way?

In August of 1999, I attended the SCBWI National Conference in LA and heard Norma Fox Mazer (author interview) speak. She talked about her method for shutting up that internal editor that we all have in our heads.

After hearing her speak, I realize

December 1, 2023Emilee Ceuninck

About the Author: ​Marlene Perez is the author of many paranormal and urban fantasy books, including the bestselling Dead Is series for teens (Clarion). The first book in the series, Dead Is the New Black, was named an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers as well as an ALA Popular Paperback. Dead Is Just a Rumor was on VOYA’s 2011 Best Science Fiction, Horror, & Fantasy List. Marlene’s latest release is the YA vampire trilogy, The Afterlife of the Party, I’m with the Banned, and A Sucker for You, were published by Entangled Teen. She grew up in Story City, Iowa and is the youngest of twelve children. She lives in Orange County, California with her husband and children” (Bio from the author).

Find Marlene Perez on the following platforms:

A huge thank you to Marlene Perez for taking the time to do an interview with us at Pine Reads! Her young adult vampire series The Afterlife of the Party is out now from Entangled Teen.

Also, be sure to check out our complete guide to The Afterlife of the Party serieshere!

Emilee Ceuninck: Thank you for taking the time for an interview! The Afterlife of the Party is your latest young adult series. What draws you to write for teens?

Marlene Perez: I don’t know why I like writing for teens so much, exactly, but I do know that I like to write about interesting people, and there are so many amazing teens, including my own!

EC: Having published a significant number of novels, did you always know that you wanted to be an author? When did your passion for writing start?

MP: I knew I wanted to be a writer since we had a journal-writing unit in elementary school, but it took me a long time to find out HOW to be a writer. I knew that there were authors, of course, but I grew up in a rural farming community, and I don’t think writing as a profession was on anybody’s radar. My passion for writing probably started when I

Biographical and Critical Sources

PERIODICALS

Booklist, November 15, 2004, Hazel Rochman, review of Unexpected Development, p. 598.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, October, 2004, Deborah Stevenson, review of Unexpected Development, p. 95.

Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, September, 2005, June Harris, review of Unexpected Development, p. 79.

Kirkus Reviews, September 1, 2004, review of Unexpected Development, p. 872.

Publishers Weekly, September 6, 2004, review of Unexpected Development, p. 64.

School Library Journal, October, 2004, Susan Riley, review of Unexpected Development, p. 175; November 25, 2005, Mary R. Hoffmann, review of Unexpected Development, p. 60.

Voice of Youth Advocates, December, 2004, review of Unexpected Development, p. 392.

ONLINE

BookLoons.com, http://www.bookloons.com/ (April 11, 2006), Ricki Marking-Camuto, review of Bright Lights for Bella.

Crescent Blues Online, http://www.crescentblues.com/ (April 11, 2006), Lynne Marie Pisano, review of Unexpected Developments.

Kidsreads.com, http://www.kidsreads.com/ (April 11, 2006), Paula Jolin, review of Bright Lights for Bella.

Marlene Perez Home Page, http://members.cox.net/ mardperez (April 11, 2006).

• Dead Is So Last Year

• By: Marlene Perez
• Narrated by: Suzy Jackson
• Length: 4 hrs and 52 mins
• Unabridged

Something very strange starts happening in Nightshade the summer that the eldest Giordano sister, Rose, gets a job working at Dr. Franken's research laboratory....

• 4 out of 5 stars

• Witty and well written

• By Pansy on 02-03-10