Mary Amato

Writing with Humor & Heart

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Fan Mail Rocks

January 29, 2017 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment

 

Dear Ms. Mary Amato,

I love your book Snarf Attack. Because the Riot Brothers are so hilarious. My favorite book was book three. I like book three because of the baby diaper wipe boots. The frying pan game was awesome. I played it with my mom. I won, she did not. I hope you write more books about Orville and Wilbur Riot.

Your friend,
Dawson

Dear Mary Amato,

Thank you for coming to our School-athon. The assembly was very fun. I can’t wait to make my own library of little books. I am excited to read all of your books. Can you come again?
From,
Emily

Dear Mary Amato,

My name is Carver. I have read your book Snarf Attack. I really like that book. I read this book because on the front cover it had two boys named Wilber Riot and Orville Riot. I like how they make up games like Snarf Attack, Underfoodle and Naked-Mole Rat. This was a really awesome book. I give this book 100% because it is so good. Do you have any other books? If so I will try to find one. I really appreciate you for making this book.
Sincerely,
Carver

Filed Under: General, What's New Tagged With: fan mail

Good Deeds Double Giveaway

April 21, 2015 by Mary Amato 7 Comments

Skunk Cover
Billy and Jillian want to do good deeds. What’s the problem? Their parents are crooks and want the twins to follow in their footsteps! The twins have to do their good deeds in secret and thwart their parents’ crimes. Book three of this chapter-book series is hot off the press.

To celebrate, I’m hosting a Good Deed Double Giveaway. If you win, you get one autographed copy for yourself and one to give to a good cause–a school library, a children’s hospital, a silent auction…you name it.

To enter, comment on this post below with a description of who you’d choose to give your second copy to and why. For example, “Hi, I’d like to give my second copy to An Open Book Foundation, a non-profit based in DC, because they promote reading and give books to low-income schools.” First name only is fine; your email address will not be published.

I’ll choose a lucky winner on May 30! For U.S. residents and U.S.-based organizations only, please. Children may enter with parents’ or guardian’s permission only.

Other ways to join in the fun?

Sing and dance to the Skunk’s theme song!

Filed Under: General, What's New Tagged With: Book Giveaway, Good Crooks Book 3, Good Crooks Book Three, Mary Amato, sniff a skunk

Question from 5th Grader

April 15, 2015 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment

Hello! I am a 5th grade student at Munson Elementry, and I am writing a series of books. I am still working on the rough draft of the 1st book, and I’m having some problems with writing the following; the many mysteries that the reader isn’t supposed to know exists, finding the perfect traits for some background characters, and tying up chapters to really make them want more than anything to read the next chapter instantly. I felt like this when I read Edgar Allen’s Official Crime Investigation notebook. Please help me.

 

Hi,

I am very happy to hear that you are writing. It sounds as if you’re working on an ambitious project. My advice would be to think in terms of a series of stories, rather than a series of books. It takes a long time to learn to write a novel because of all the issues you are discovering! It often takes me a year or two to write a novel now. When I was first starting, it took much longer. The fact that you are identifying issues that are difficult is a sign that you are thinking like a writer and that is so important. I think you’ll find more satisfaction if you write a short story and try to do just one thing in each story. Write one focusing on character. Write one focusing on creating suspense. Write one focusing on word choice. Every time you write, you will be learning.

 

All the best,

Mary Amato

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: General Tagged With: advice to young writers, fan mail, writing tip

Good Crooks Three is Coming

August 18, 2014 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment

What would you do if your parents were thieves and you had a secret desire to do good deeds? Twins Billy and Jillian Crook are off on another adventure to do a good deed and thwart crimes!

Look for the third book in this new series illustrated by Ward Jenkins in 2015. GC 2 cover

Filed Under: General, What's New Tagged With: 7-10, Good Crooks, humor for boys, Mary Amato, Ward Jenkins

Check out Guitar Notes

April 24, 2013 by Mary Amato 1 Comment

See why I’m getting so much fan mail for Guitar Notes at www.thrumsociety.com.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Guitar Notes, Guitar Notes by Mary Amato, Mary Amato

Snarf Attack released as E-Book

October 23, 2012 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment

Snarf Attack, Underfoodle, and the Secret of Life: The Riot Bothers Tell AllFor Riot Brother fans, Snarf Attack is now available as an e-book at bn.com, amazon, and kobo.com. More titles are coming soon.

Filed Under: General, Scrapbook, What's New

My Fan Jake

October 15, 2012 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment


Jake asked his school’s media specialist to invite me to his school. The rest is history!

Filed Under: General

MEMO 2012

October 15, 2012 by Mary Amato 2 Comments

My book Please Write in This Book won this year’s Maud Hart Lovelace Award! Thanks to all the Library Media Specialists, the committee members of the Minnesota Youth Reading Awards, MEMO (the Minnesota Educational Media Organization) for inviting me to Minnesota to receive my award.

Special thanks to Laurie Conzemius, Deirdre Jameson, and Joan Larson.

What a wonderful group of passionate educators! A video Thank You to the readers is coming soon!

Filed Under: General, Scrapbook, What's New Tagged With: MEMO 2012, Please Write in This Book

Writing Guitar Notes

August 13, 2012 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment

Check out the Guitar Notes website.

Filed Under: General, Resources Tagged With: Guitar Notes, video, videos, writing process, writing tips

Guitar Notes is Here!

July 23, 2012 by Mary Amato 1 Comment

Guitar Notes

My new novel, Guitar Notes, is about two teens who discover a profound connection through songwriting. Find out more about the novel and the original songs that accompany the story at http://thrumsociety.com/.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Guitar Notes, songwriting

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Humor and Heart

I give voice to the funny, sad, messy, and wondrous stories of life, especially the stories of children and young adults. My mission: each book has humor and heart. If you are a teen and/or you're looking for info about my books and music for older readers, please check out my www.thrumsociety.com site.
Learn more about my mission and resources.

Appearances and Private Lessons

See my appearance list and find out about private lessons via Skype or in person.

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I play Luna Ukes & Guitars

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