Allen Zadoff - Sid Fleischman Humor Award 2010

When I go to the Summer SCBWI Conference I always make it a point to pick up the latest winner of the Sid Fleischman Humor Award.  These award winning books are always filled with belly laughs and a good time.

I was not disappointed this past year with Allen Zadoff's Food, Girls and Other Things I Can't Have.  This is the hilarious story of a fat teenage boy whose dreams come true when he gets on the football team and starts dating a cheerleader.  Then the dream turns into a nightmare as he questions his so-called success.  As soon as I finished the book, I immediately contacted the author, Allen Zadoff, for an interview.  I give you Allen Zadoff.

 When and why did you start writing for children?

I never intended to write for teens.  In the year I was waiting for my first book, a memoir called HUNGRY, to come out, I sat down and wrote a novel.  I'd written many other things before that--screenplays, sitcoms, personal essays--but none of them had the voice that emerged when I started writing fiction. It was the story of a twelve-year-old boy competing with his brother to win his father's love.

I sent it to my agent, and he said, "I think this is YA."  My response: "What's YA?"  Thus began a long series of events that led to my writing YA novels.  That first novel didn't sell, but the next book I wrote was FOOD, GIRLS, AND OTHER THINGS I CAN'T HAVE.

What is the most valuable advice you can give to a newly published writer?

Start the next one. Our careers come from writing, and I think it's my job to keep doing the basic act that got me published in the first place. It sounds obvious, but it's not. When a book comes out, there's a lot of focus on sales and promotion, and it's easy to get distracted. I've had to work at maintaining a safe space to create in because let's face it--your book might do well or not do well, but you still have to get up the next morning and write.

What are some of your favorite children’s books that you'd like to recommend?

For middle grade, I'm a great fan of Susan Patron and her series that began with The Higher Power of Lucky. For older readers, I love my fellow male authors.  For darker stuff: Andrew Smith.  For edgy, funny cult stuff: Barry Lyga.  For great literary fiction: Francisco Stork.  I could go on and on. . .

What are you working on now?

I'm promoting my new book MY LIFE, THE THEATER AND OTHER TRAGEDIES coming May '11 from Egmont-USA.  It's a theater story told from the perspective of a techie guy (backstage crew member) who falls for an actress at his school. Unfortunately they're in a theater department where actors and techies are at war.  It's a love story, a bromance, and coming of age story all at the same time.  It's a more serious story than my last one, but still funny. At the same time I'm writing my next novel which will be published in late 2012 by Egmont.

What is your favorite dessert and why?

I don't eat dessert. Can you believe it?  And the reasons are in my memoir HUNGRY which tells the story of my losing 150 pounds when I was 28 years old.  It's not just a weight thing. I found there are certain foods I can't handle, like eating them and trying to manage them is much more difficult than just giving them up. For example, if you serve me 4 oz. of my favorite ice cream, I want to break into the kitchen and eat the whole freezer. Then I'm hijacking a Ben & Jerry's truck. I'm just not satisfied by a little bit, so I'm better off not eating any.  Not eating dessert has given me a lot of freedom and made me a much happier person. 

Bio:

Allen Zadoff is the author of the memoir HUNGRY and the young adult novel FOOD, GIRLS, AND OTHER THINGS I CAN'T HAVE, recipient of the 2010 Sid Fleischman Humor Award from SCBWI.  His next novel, MY LIFE, THE THEATER, AND OTHER TRAGEDIES, will be published in May by Egmont-USA. He currently works as a writer and writing coach in Los Angeles. Visit Allen on the web at www.allenzadoff.com <http://www.allenzadoff.com>

Allen Zadoff links:
Website: http://www.allenzadoff.com
FB:         http://www.facebook.com/allenzadoff
Twitter:    http://twitter.com/allenzadoff

Upcoming releases:
Food, Girls and Other Things I Can't Have - Paperback Edition - 2/22/11
My Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies - Hardcover - 5/10/11

Comments

[Jennifer Hunsicker]

Great interview! I haven't read this book yet, but I'm definitely on the lookout for Allen Zadoff books and other Sid Fleischman Award winners. Thank you!

[valerie hobbs]

I loved his first book (first published book!) and looking forward to reading the next. Anybody who can combine humor with pathos is my kind of writer.

[msyingling]

Great interview. Can't wait until the sequel comes out. Even read Hungry, because I was so impressed with Food, Girls.

[Dee White]

Thanks for a great post.

Loved your advice for newly published writers. Start the next book. This really works for me when I'm waiting to hear on subs too.

[Sherrie Petersen]

Great interview! I LOVED this book and I enjoyed hearing Allen speak last summer. Sounds like his next book will be another must read, too.