Heidi didn’t want to be a writer when she grew up. In fact, after she graduated from college, she became a probation officer in Florida. It wasn’t until she was 28 years old that she gave in and joined the family business, publishing her first short story in a book called Famous Writers and Their Kids Write Spooky Stories. The famous writer was her mom, author Jane Yolen. Since then, she has published more than thirty-five books and numerous short stories and poems, mostly for children.
Heidi lives and writes on a big old farm in Massachusetts that she shares with one very large cat who lives inside, and a dozen deer, a family of bears, three coyotes, two bobcats, a gray fox, tons of birds, and some very fat groundhogs who live outside. Once a year she calls owls for the Audubon Christmas Bird Count.
“Debbie Ridpath Ohi and Heidi E.Y. Stemple were so encouraging, nurturing, informative, resourceful and entertaining! Their styles and personalities were a perfect blend.”
“Heidi [E.Y. Stemple] and Debbie [Ridpath Ohi] are simply the best. They know their stuff, are good at teaching it, and are just warm, lovely people.”
“Heidi [E.Y. Stemple] and Debbie [Ridpath Ohi] are amazing. They are inspiring and encouraging to each participant – from novice to experienced writer.”
“I love the way Heidi Stemple gave explicit and very concrete techniques and examples for how to proceed with a story.”
