Young Adult Writer Skypes With Marlborough Students

MARLBOROUGH, MA—Via Marlborough Public Schools: A.S. King, a prominent Young Adult writer, got her first novel, The Dust of 100 Dogs published in 2009, after years of rejection. Since then, King has continued to write seven more novels fueled by her patience, persistence and passion.

“I have to write…. it’s what I do,” King stated during a Skype session with Marlborough High School students who are in a book club led by Alyson Cox, Media Specialist for MHS. Cox met King at this year's MA School Library Association conference where King was the keynote speaker.

Cox had been communicating with King for several months prior to the Conference, and after meeting King followed up with an invitation for the proclaimed author to Skype with her students.

King emphasized that success is not publishing a book; it’s about writing a good book. A photographer as well as a visual artist, King considers her writing a continuous metaphor.

“I am a poet first,” stated King. “Sylvia Plath has greatly influenced me as has Kurt Vonnegut.”

Students were curious about what inspires King to write and how she finds the time since she travels all over the country speaking to high school and university students and teaches writing at Vermont College of Fine Arts. She stressed that she does not spend time watching TV or going on social media; her focus is on writing which she does throughout the day as she sips her favorite teas.

The MHS book club just completed reading King’s book Please Ignore Vera Dietz. King revealed that this book helped her come to terms with death. She shared her approach to character development and wrestling with themes like regret. They also discussed the importance of selecting a strong visual for a book cover that authentically captures the mood and theme of the book.

Photos submitted, Marlborough public schools