Robyn Hood Black - children's author, poet

Robyn Hood Black (yes, that's her real name) is the author of Sir Mike, a rhyming Rookie Reader from Scholastic's Children's Press, and WOLVES, a nonfiction, interactive vault book from Intervisual Books. Two of her poems appear in Georgia Heard's anthology of found poems, The Arrow Finds Its Mark, from Roaring Brook Press. Two more are in The Poetry Friday Anthology and another two in The Poetry Friday Anthology for Middle School, compiled by Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell (Pomelo Books). Her fiction has appeared in Highlights, and her poetry has appeared in Ladybug, Hopscotch for Girls and Berry Blue Haiku (which also featured her artwork) . Her work appears in leading haiku journals, including Frogpond, Acorn, and Modern Haiku.

Robyn began writing stories and drawing pictures while growing up in Orlando, Florida. Editor of her elementary school newspaper, she later graduated cum laude as a Phi Beta Kappa English major from Furman University.

Her smartest move was getting involved with the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She coordinated the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2012 Springmingle, the SCBWI Southern Breeze spring conference in Atlanta. She coordinated a poetry retreat featuring Rebecca Kai Dotlich in June 2011. Robyn is thankful for great critique group friends who are insightful, fun, and supportive. And they make yummy food.

Robyn taught middle school English for two years before diving into writing full-time with the publication of Sir Mike. She now enjoys sharing her passions for writing and art through school visits and presenatations for all ages in community, festival, and professional settings. She also creates "art for your literary side" through her new business, artsyletters.

She and her husband of 28 years are proud parents of a daughter in college and a son in high school. As animal-loving vegetarians, the family shares life with an assortment of dogs and cats. Robyn has volunteered with wolves and other animals at a local wildlife preserve.

Animals, the endeavors of her children, and memories of her own childhood are primary influences in her writing and art. She thanks God for the opportunity to participate in the gifts of love and creativity.

Poring through picture books at a library or bookstore is still a favorite, magical activity. Her two favorite books on writing are Brenda Ueland's If You Want to Write and Nancy Willard's Telling Time.

"I like to share this quote from Brenda Ueland with kids and adults alike," Robyn says. "Everybody is talented, original, and has something important to say."