Ten Writers for 2010

As 2010 opens not only a new year, but a new decade, it is time to do the Janus bit and look both backwards and forwards. Like most people, I have done this with my life, my career (largely sacrificed on the alter of motherhood, but still...) and with my reading. Since Pam’s Pages (my version at least) isn’t about quilts or time management, but is actually about reading and writing, here are two lists of authors. The first one is a group of writers who have, by and large, finished the body of their work. Some have passed, others are retired (or should be) but these are writers whose works I  read early in life, and have returned to frequently.

Five to look back upon:

Robert A. Heinlein— He’s known as a science fiction grand master, who wrote some great stories and novels, along with some real duds. Still, I have learned quite a bit from his thoughtful, humorous, and cautionary views of the future of man in the universe.
Peter O’ Donnell— I discovered this author while I was still in high school, at the local public library, as mom handed me a suggested volume, The Impossible Virgin. O’Donnell is far better than Fleming at writing the tongue in cheek British espionage yarn, and when he deals with technology he’s far more entertaining than Ludlum or Clancy. Oddly, he also wrote some gothic romance under a pen name, Madeline Brent.
Mary Stewart— Another writer that mom prompted me to read. While most of Stewart’s suspense stories are somewhat out of date, when I re-read her, I enjoy her delicious prose blended with suspense and a dash of romance. Readers of fantasy will enjoy her series on Merlin, which does not suffer from the passage of time, as is the case with her romantic suspense yarns.
Margaret Mitchell— I read Gone with the Wind in the eighth grade, under great pressure from mom. Once I finished, I asked for more Mitchell and was sorely disappointed. To this day, I wonder why did she only write one freakin’ book?
Janet Dailey— I’ve not read much romance, but I view Dailey as a great romance writer who ran out of material and committed the ultimate sin of plagiarism.

The second list is a group who are either beginning or mid-career, and who have great promise for the future. I quit reading the “best seller” list a decade back, so it is fitting to look at these newer writers who are not on any bestseller lists that I know of, but when any of them publishes a new book, I am eager to put it in my “to be read” stack.

Five to move forward with.

Elizabeth Bear— I enjoyed her fabulous debut novel, Hammered, and she is young enough to have a great career. The sequel is in my TBR stack.
Pauline Baird Jones— while I did not find her earlier works compelling, I have put The Key on my list of stuff to read again and again. This mostly ebook author has yet to be discovered by the big guys, but she has great writing ability.
Travis Taylor— I saw Dr. Taylor (and he does have a doctorate) on the History channel recently, discussing the future of weaponry. He is smart, authentic, and youthful, so he should also have to great career as a writer. He’s certainly got the energy, and since he has partnered with several writers, from John Ringo to Darrell Bain, he is certain to grow his craft.
Linnea Sinclair— She is one of the writers who managed to flit from ebook publisher to ebook publisher as that industry was just beginning, then managed to sell all of her old novels as well as some new books to a big time publisher. I have re-read her Accidental Goddess a couple of times, and it is available in mass market paperback, along with other titles, both new and recycled.
P.C. Cast— She began with a novel (Goddess by Mistake) published by Hawk Publishing. I lost my copy (original edition, with the original cover art) and have not replaced it; I apologize for not doing enough homework before I wrote about her publishing history. Hopefully, this update and Cast's comment below will clarify which publishers do carry her current offerings.


Some of my favorite writers didn’t make either list, but happily many of them are mid-career and reasonably successful. As you readers make your New Year's resolutions, perhaps you will resolve to read off the beaten path. My Ten for 2010 list of authors is a place to begin looking for something different, whether you look backwards or forwards.

Famous people who used to be teachers

In classical myth, Janus is pictured as looking forward and looking back, at the same time. I don't have two faces, and I don't have much respect for those who do, but I am presently looking back to ’08 and forward to ’09. Much has happened in the past few months, and there is no small amount of uncertainty about the immediate future. Since I am not going to be in the classroom for winter quarter, I’ve been thinking about what to do with my free time. That is assuming I have some free time, of course. During the hiatus, I hope to accomplish some goals which have nothing to do with my on and off career as an English instructor. Teaching can be so consuming that I don’t get as much writing and editing done as I would like. I must remember that many teachers have found time to make their mark on the world.

While many scientists, such as Albert Einstein, Carl Sagan, and Issac Asimov were also professors, some teachers have achieved fame outside of the classroom. Here is an informal and no doubt incomplete list of celebrities who once made a living as a classroom teacher:

Anne Murray, one of my favorite singers, studied physical education and taught for one year prior to landing a job in television, which in turn launched her career in music. I’ve always enjoyed her songs, and I love her Christmas album.

Sting, who was formerly known as Gordon Sumner, taught for two years prior to making music his full time job.

Art Garfunkel, of Simon and Garfunkel taught at the Litchfield Preparatory School in Connecticut, during which time “Bridge Over Troubled Water” became a hit.

Andy Griffith graduated from UNC and taught at Goldsboro High School as a music teacher until 1951. He was working as a teacher when he recorded his famous “What It Was, Was Football” monologue, which was his first claim to fame.

Roberta Flack taught English in Maryland for several years prior to making music her career.

And, my all time favorite former English teacher is novelist Stephen King. He got a contract for Carrie, a yarn based on his observations of teenagers, and he has published many best sellers.

My novels have not yet brought me much fame, but perhaps I can dream a bit during the daytime, knowing that fame has sometimes followed an education career.