Following a format devised by Pat Cummings in her Talking with Artists series, Leonard Marcus provides a brief biographical essay for each of the fifteen authors included, followed by an interview. Most of Marcus’s questions ask for specifics related to their lives as writers, such as how they revise their work and how they know when a book is finished. Each entry also includes a photograph of the author as a child and as an adult, and a sample manuscript page. (Ages 10-14)

Have you ever wanted to ask your favorite author:
What kind of child were you?
Did you like to read?
When did you become a writer?
What is the best thing about being a writer?

In fifteen short conversations with some of the best-known children's book authors, acclaimed author and editor Leonard S. Marcus asks these questions and more, discovering engaging details about their lives and their work. Throughout, you'll find childhood and adult pictures of the authors, as well as bibliographies, manuscript pages, and other fascinating memorabilia. "Author Talk" is a great introduction to the people behind some of your favorite books.