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{{short description|American novelist}}
⚫
'''Ellen Conford''' (March 20, 1942-March 20, 2015) was an author for children and young adults. Among her writings are the ''Annabel the Actress'' and ''Jenny Archer'' series. Her books have won the Best Book of the Year Citation, Best Book of the International Interest Citation, Best Book of the Year for Children, Parents' Choice Award, and more.
{{infobox writer
|name=Ellen Conford
|birth_date={{birth date|1942|3|20}}
|birth_place=[[New York City]], U.S.
|death_date={{death date and age|2015|3|20|1942|3|20}}
|occupation=Writer
|alma_mater=[[Hofstra University|Hofstra College]]
|genres={{flatlist|
*[[Children's literature]]
*[[young adult fiction]]
⚫
}}
|awards=[[Parents' Choice Award]]
⚫
}}
⚫
'''Ellen Conford''' (March 20, 1942 – March 20, 2015) was an American author for children and young adults. Among her writings are the ''Annabel the Actress'' and ''Jenny Archer'' series. Her books have won the Best Book of the Year Citation, Best Book of the International Interest Citation, Best Book of the Year for Children, [[Parents' Choice Award]], and more.

== Early life ==
She was born Ellen Shaffer in [[New York City]] in 1942, the only child of Harry Schaffer and Lillian Schaffer (née Pfeffer). She is the first cousin of fellow writer [[Susan Beth Pfeffer]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tomlin |first=Natasha |title=Library Guides: Archives and Special Collections: Ellen Conford Personal Archives and Juvenile Book Collection |url=https://liu.cwp.libguides.com/archives_and_special_collections/conford |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=liu.cwp.libguides.com |language=en}}</ref> An avid reader from an early age, she read eight books per week. Among her favorite books to read were the [[Nancy Drew]] series and [[Young adult fiction|teen romances]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Something About the Author: Volume 110 |publisher=Gale Group |year=2000 |isbn=9780787632199 |location=Detroit |pages=61–64 |language=English}}</ref>

In high school, she edited her school's humor magazine. She attended [[Hofstra University|Hofstra College]] from 1959 to 1962.<ref name="briefbios">{{cite web |title=BriefBio.com - Brief Bio |url=http://www.briefbio.com/pages/1709/Conford-Ellen-1942.html |accessdate=23 March 2015 |work=briefbio.com}}</ref> During her studies, she helped pay for classes by working as a proofreader and as a salesperson. She met fellow student David Conford, whom she married November 23, 1960.

== Career ==
Upon graduating from college, Conford began her career writing short stories for teen magazines, published between 1969 and 1971 in magazines such as ''[[Teen magazine|TEEN]]''. She was prompted to begin writing full-length books when she couldn't find a good book for their son Michael to read at the library, and told her husband that she thought she could write a better one.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dar |first=Mahnaz |title=Celebrated YA Author Ellen Conford Dies at 73 |url=https://www.slj.com/story/celebrated-ya-author-ellen-conford-dies-at-73 |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=School Library Journal}}</ref>

Her debut book ''Impossible Possum'' was published by [[Little, Brown and Company|Little, Brown]] in 1971 - a [[picture book]] about a [[Opossum|possum]] who doesn't fit in with the rest of his family because he can't hang by his tail. The book was illustrated by [[Rosemary Wells]]. Little, Brown editor John Keller recalls coming across the manuscript for ''Impossible Possum'' at the beginning of his editorial career: "It [was] fresh and funny, tone was just right..."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dar |first=Mahnaz |title=Celebrated YA Author Ellen Conford Dies at 73 |url=https://www.slj.com/story/celebrated-ya-author-ellen-conford-dies-at-73 |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=School Library Journal}}</ref> Previously to being acquired by Little, Brown, it had been rejected by 12 other publishers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maughan {{!}} |first=Shannon |title=Obituary: Ellen Conford |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/65973-obituary-ellen-conford.html |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=PublishersWeekly.com |language=en}}</ref>

Conford went on to publish over 40 books and have a prolific career in children's book publishing. ''The Alfred G. Graebner Memorial High School of Rules and Regulations'' was an [[American Library Association|ALA Notable Young Adult Book]] in 1976, and ''Lenny Kandell, Smart Aleck'' (Little, Brown) was named an ''SLJ'' Best Book in 1983.


Several of her stories have been adapted for television, sometimes by Conford herself. Her children's book ''And This is Laura'' and the story ''Revenge of the Incredible Dr. Rancid and His Youthful Assistant, Jeffrey'' became [[ABC Weekend Special]]s, while her [[young adult novel]]s ''[[Dear Lovey Hart, I Am Desperate]]'' became an [[ABC Afterschool Special]] and ''The Alfred G. Graebner Memorial High School Handbook of Rules and Regulations'' was a [[CBS Schoolbreak Special]].
Several of her stories have been adapted for television, sometimes by Conford herself. Her children's book ''And This is Laura'' and the story ''Revenge of the Incredible Dr. Rancid and His Youthful Assistant, Jeffrey'' became [[ABC Weekend Special]]s, while her [[young adult novel]]s ''[[Dear Lovey Hart, I Am Desperate]]'' became an [[ABC Afterschool Special]] and ''The Alfred G. Graebner Memorial High School Handbook of Rules and Regulations'' was a [[CBS Schoolbreak Special]].


Born in [[New York City, New York]], Conford attended [[Hofstra University|Hofstra College]] from 1959 to 1962.<ref name="briefbios">[http://www.briefbio.com/pages/1709/Conford-Ellen-1942.html Brief Bios of Famous Authors: Ellen Conford]</ref> She died on March 20, 2015, her 73rd birthday.<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/ellen-conford-childrens-writer-dies-at-73/2015/03/23/90936a8c-d18c-11e4-a62f-ee745911a4ff_story.html</ref>
Ellen Conford died at her home in [[Great Neck, New York]] on March 20, 2015, her 73rd birthday.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/ellen-conford-childrens-writer-dies-at-73/2015/03/23/90936a8c-d18c-11e4-a62f-ee745911a4ff_story.html|title=Ellen Conford, children's writer, dies at 73|newspaper=Washington Post|accessdate=23 March 2015}}</ref>


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==

===Novels===
===Novels===
{{Library resources box|by=yes|viaf=79334760}}
{{Library resources box|by=yes|viaf=79334760}}
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===Series===
===Series===

====Annabel the Actress====
====Annabel the Actress====
*''Annabel the Actress: Starring in Gorilla My Dreams'' (1999)
*''Annabel the Actress: Starring in Gorilla My Dreams'' (1999)
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist
{{reflist}}
{{Portal|Children and Young Adult Literature}}
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}}


{{Authority control}}
==External links==


* {{LCAuth|n81125963|Ellen Conford|51|}}

{{Authority control|VIAF=79334760 |LCCN=n/81/125963}}
{{Persondata
| NAME = Conford, Ellen
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American children's writer
| DATE OF BIRTH = March 20, 1942
| PLACE OF BIRTH = New York City, New York, USA
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
⚫
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Conford, Ellen}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Conford, Ellen}}
[[Category:2015 deaths]]
[[Category:2015 deaths]]
[[Category:1942 births]]
[[Category:1942 births]]
[[Category:20th-century American novelists]]
[[Category:21st-century American novelists]]
[[Category:American children's writers]]
[[Category:American children's writers]]
[[Category:Writers from New York City]]
[[Category:American women novelists]]
[[Category:Novelists from New York City]]
[[Category:Hofstra University alumni]]
[[Category:Hofstra University alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century American women writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American women writers]]

Latest revision as of 22:46, 20 July 2024

Ellen Conford
Born(1942-03-20)March 20, 1942
New York City, U.S.
DiedMarch 20, 2015(2015-03-20) (aged 73)
OccupationWriter
Alma materHofstra College
Genres
Notable awardsParents' Choice Award

Ellen Conford (March 20, 1942 – March 20, 2015) was an American author for children and young adults. Among her writings are the Annabel the Actress and Jenny Archer series. Her books have won the Best Book of the Year Citation, Best Book of the International Interest Citation, Best Book of the Year for Children, Parents' Choice Award, and more.

Early life

[edit]

She was born Ellen Shaffer in New York City in 1942, the only child of Harry Schaffer and Lillian Schaffer (née Pfeffer). She is the first cousin of fellow writer Susan Beth Pfeffer.[1] An avid reader from an early age, she read eight books per week. Among her favorite books to read were the Nancy Drew series and teen romances.[2]

In high school, she edited her school's humor magazine. She attended Hofstra College from 1959 to 1962.[3] During her studies, she helped pay for classes by working as a proofreader and as a salesperson. She met fellow student David Conford, whom she married November 23, 1960.

Career

[edit]

Upon graduating from college, Conford began her career writing short stories for teen magazines, published between 1969 and 1971 in magazines such as TEEN. She was prompted to begin writing full-length books when she couldn't find a good book for their son Michael to read at the library, and told her husband that she thought she could write a better one.[4]

Her debut book Impossible Possum was published by Little, Brown in 1971 - a picture book about a possum who doesn't fit in with the rest of his family because he can't hang by his tail. The book was illustrated by Rosemary Wells. Little, Brown editor John Keller recalls coming across the manuscript for Impossible Possum at the beginning of his editorial career: "It [was] fresh and funny, tone was just right..."[5] Previously to being acquired by Little, Brown, it had been rejected by 12 other publishers.[6]

Conford went on to publish over 40 books and have a prolific career in children's book publishing. The Alfred G. Graebner Memorial High School of Rules and Regulations was an ALA Notable Young Adult Book in 1976, and Lenny Kandell, Smart Aleck (Little, Brown) was named an SLJ Best Book in 1983.

Several of her stories have been adapted for television, sometimes by Conford herself. Her children's book And This is Laura and the story Revenge of the Incredible Dr. Rancid and His Youthful Assistant, Jeffrey became ABC Weekend Specials, while her young adult novels Dear Lovey Hart, I Am Desperate became an ABC Afterschool Special and The Alfred G. Graebner Memorial High School Handbook of Rules and Regulations was a CBS Schoolbreak Special.

Ellen Conford died at her home in Great Neck, New York on March 20, 2015, her 73rd birthday.[7]

Bibliography

[edit]

Novels

[edit]
Library resources about
Ellen Conford
By Ellen Conford

Picture books

[edit]
  • Impossible, Possum (1971)
  • Why Can't I Be William? (1972)
  • Just the Thing for Geraldine (1974)
  • Eugene the Brave (1978)

Series

[edit]

Annabel the Actress

[edit]
  • Annabel the Actress: Starring in Gorilla My Dreams (1999)
  • Annabel the Actress: Starring in Just a Little Extra (2000)
  • Annabel the Actress: Starring In Hound of the Barkervilles (2002)
  • Annabel the Actress: Starring in Camping It Up (2004)

Jenny Archer

[edit]
  • A Job for Jenny Archer (1988)
  • A Case for Jenny Archer (1988)
  • Jenny Archer, Author (1989)
  • What's Cooking, Jenny Archer? (1989)
  • Jenny Archer to the Rescue (1990)
  • Can Do, Jenny Archer (1992)
  • Nibble, Nibble, Jenny Archer (1993)
  • Get the Picture Jenny Archer? (1993)

Anthologies

[edit]
  • Shelf Life: Stories by the Book (2003)

Collections

[edit]
  • If This is Love, I'll Take Spaghetti (1990)
  • 'I Love You, I Hate You, Get Lost (1994)
  • Crush (1998)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Tomlin, Natasha. "Library Guides: Archives and Special Collections: Ellen Conford Personal Archives and Juvenile Book Collection". liu.cwp.libguides.com. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  2. ^ Something About the Author: Volume 110. Detroit: Gale Group. 2000. pp. 61–64. ISBN 9780787632199.
  3. ^ "BriefBio.com - Brief Bio". briefbio.com. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  4. ^ Dar, Mahnaz. "Celebrated YA Author Ellen Conford Dies at 73". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  5. ^ Dar, Mahnaz. "Celebrated YA Author Ellen Conford Dies at 73". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  6. ^ Maughan |, Shannon. "Obituary: Ellen Conford". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  7. ^ "Ellen Conford, children's writer, dies at 73". Washington Post. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  8. ^ "Ellen Conford." Contemporary Authors Online, Gale, 2002.
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