My Conversation with Author, Beverly Cleary

As a kid did you ever read stories like Beezus and Ramona or Henry Huggins? How about Ralph S, Mouse? These and so many other stories for young readers came from the creative pen of Beverly Cleary, and I’ve been a life-long fan.

She has entertained countless young readers and continues to do so. I professed that I was a fan, she told me she had many people who told her that, including a lot of men. That surprised her.

Our conversation went something like this:

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to meet you.”

“Thank you.” She has a charming smile, but she's direct and I had the feeling if I hadn't been sincere, she would have sent me packing.

“I write for young readers, and you were always one of my writing role models.”

“It seems you turned out well.”

“And some of that might be thanks to you, Ms. Cleary.”

Hoping I wasn’t too rude, I asked if I could have a photograph with her, but she graciously declined. However, we talked for some time and she was very interested in today’s publishing business. She asked how I got my books into print and I told her I was traditionally published, but that I had also self-published three of my middle grade books.

She asked how I marketed my books, especially those that I self-published, and I said, “Online, library events, bookstores, and at schools. She was most interested in the online, which she said she didn’t understand at all. I laughed and said, “Me neither.”

Her writing schedule was to start a book in January and finished in June. She never contracted for several books at a time, and sometimes she didn’t even tell her publisher she had a book for them until it was completed.

“Writers need a break and to do other things,” she said. And she said that kept her fresh and ready to write another story. She never considered a multi-book contract because she didn’t want that kind of pressure.

What an amazing exchange I had with her. She was much different than I expected, and that was a wonderful surprise. At 102, she was sharp and quick. She was down to business and interested in what I had to say—so much so that I didn’t have a chance to ask as many questions as I wanted. Ms. Cleary was and is a no nonsense person, and someone I admire even more after today’s encounter.

She was born April 12, 1916 in McMinnville, Oregon. She won the National Book Award and the Newbery Medal as well as the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award. What a long life and long successful career she’s had. I’m still high from our conversation.