Laura's bio
Laura Ruby writes fiction for adults, teens and children. Titles include the Edgar-nominated children's mystery LILY'S GHOSTS (2003), the ALA Quick Pick for teens GOOD GIRLS (2006), and a collection of interconnected short stories about blended families for adults, I'M NOT JULIA ROBERTS (2007). She makes her home in Chicago.
More of Laura's bios
Quick facts for students and/or stalkers
- Born on April 17th in a year before this one.
- Astrological sign: Aries. If you believe such things, this means she is opinionated, moody and impatient.
- Grew up in northern New Jersey with school psychologist mom and cop dad. This was back in the 1980s, which means that she wore lots of leggings and had a contentious relationship with her own hair.
- Has one younger sister, Melissa, who confirms that Laura is opinionated, moody and impatient.
- Started writing stories and poems at age eight, primarily about kittens and bunny rabbits.
- In middle and high school, composed angry poems with lines like, "Beware, little boy, I am Death."
- Thankfully, few of these early works survive.
- Was a huge reader as a kid, with a special interest in mysteries and ghost stories. Favorite books include From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and The Westing Game. Later, she enjoyed books by Judy Blume and Lois Duncan.
- Got her first job in a public library as a page. She was supposed to shelve all the books in their proper order. She read the books instead. Also, she and the other pages had cart races behind the stacks.
- Attended Rutgers University and received a degree in English Literature.
- Began illustrious career in a publishing house as world's worst administrative assistant.
- Was transferred to copywriting department where talent for making things up could be better utilized.
- Moved Chicago in 1997 and married an engineer named Steve. (If he'd worked as a library page, he would have shelved all the books in their proper order).
- Has two stepdaughters who second the notion that Laura is opinionated, moody and impatient, if not exactly wicked.
- Wrote advertising copy for nearly a decade before selling first novel, LILY'S GHOSTS.
- Has never seen a ghost, though she thinks it would be cool.
- Went on to write two more books for kids, THE WALL AND THE WING and a sequel, THE CHAOS KING. She has also written three books for older teens and a book for adults. She has published short stories in numerous literary magazines.
- Has several hobbies: running, cooking, and watching tennis tournaments (though the tennis tournaments are less a hobby and more like an addiction).
- Still has a contentious relationship with her own hair.
Info for educators, librarians, and conference organizers
Ms. Ruby has been a featured speaker at BookExpo, The American Library Association's national convention, the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) annual convention, the Miami Book Festival, the Florida Association of Media Educators (FAME) convention, the Midwest Literary Festival, the International Reading Association's annual convention, and the Illinois Reading Council annual conference, among other venues, and she has presented programs and workshops for both adults and children at numerous schools and libraries.
If you are interested in having Laura speak at your school, library, or conference, please contact her for details about programs and scheduling.
