Jill Smolinski
About me 
The short version: I am the author of the novels Objects of My Affection, The Next Thing on My List and Flip-Flopped, as well as nine non-fiction books on topics including origami, travel games and science projects. My work has appeared in major women's magazines and the anthology American Girls About Town. I live in Los Angeles, CA.
The longer version:
I've wanted to be a writer ever since I was invited to participate in a young authors conference at age six because of a short story I wrote. I got to miss a day of school and eat cookies, which at six is pretty exciting. (Still is!) That's me in the photo, wearing the pink checked dress and a very proud expression, in front of the teacher who inspired me to be a writer, Mrs. Lipson.
After serving as literary editor of my high school yearbook (Troy, Michigan), and editor-in-chief of my college yearbook (Central Michigan University), I took my Journalism degree, loaded up the Chevy Nova, and headed for Los Angeles.
Since then, I’ve been on-staff at ‘Teen magazine, and my articles have appeared in numerous women’s magazines. I’m the author of nine non-fiction books on topics including origami, travel games and science fair projects. I also do freelance writing and event planning for an organization in Southern California that promotes ridesharing.
My first novel, Flip-Flopped, was published in 2002. In addition to the U.S., it was published in the U.K., where it hit the best-seller list, and in Germany (where it went by the title Rendezvous Under the Volcano).
In 2004, a short story, “40 Days” was included in the anthology American Girls About Town alongside some of my favorite authors including Jennifer Weiner, Adriana Trigiani and Melissa Senate.
The Next Thing On My List came out in 2007. It’s about a woman doing a “things-to-do-before-I-die” list—taking on challenges in life and trying to put herself on a new course. Rights have been sold in North America, France, Germany, Spain, Korea, Australia, Holland, Sweden, Poland, China and Brazil.
My next book, Objects of My Affection, will be published in May and tells the story of a personal organizer who must somehow convince a reclusive artist to give up her hoarding ways.
Currently, I live in the Los Angeles area and am newly an "empty nester" having sent my son off to college—although thankfully I still have my guinea pig, Scruffy, to keep me company. I'm hard at work on my next novel...that is, when I'm not playing online solitaire or goofing off on Facebook.
DOING A BOOK REPORT?
I love getting emails from (often desperate) students doing book reports, and I try to get back as quickly as possible (remembering how I always waited until the last minute as a student). In case your deadline is faster than I can respond, here are answers to my most-often-asked book report/presentation questions:
Birth date: May 3, 1961
Birth place: Berkley, Michigan
Currently live: Los Angeles, CA
Schooling: Troy-Athens, MI, high school (where my dad was my assistant principal!) and Central Michigan University, B.A.A. Journalism
Family: I am divorced and have a 19-year-old son, Daniel, who is off at college. Growing up, I was the youngest of three (two older brothers).
Favorite book: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
What inspired me to become a writer: I was lucky enough to have Mrs. Lipson as my first grade teacher—she was an amazing teacher, and she's since gone on to publish a number of books on getting kids to love reading and writing.
More questions: Email me at jillsmolinski@earthlink.net