Meet Rachel

Rachel Renee Russell is an attorney who prefers writing tween books to legal briefs. (Mainly because books are a lot more fun and pajamas and bunny slippers aren’t allowed in court.) She has raised two daughters and lived to tell about it. Her hobbies include growing purple flowers and doing dotally useless crafts (like, for example, making a microwave oven out of Popsicle sticks, glue, and glitter). Rachel lives in northern Virginia with a spoiled pet Yorkie who terrorizes her daily by climbing on top of a computer cabinet and pelting her with stuffed animals while she writes. And, yes, Rachel considers herself a total Dork. Can you share a little about your background? I grew up in Saint Joseph, Michigan, a small city located on the shore of Lake Michigan. I have 2 younger sisters and 2 younger twin brothers. I wrote and illustrated my first book in 6th grade as a birthday present for my brothers. I’m an attorney, but I enjoy writing children’s books more than practicing law. I currently reside in northern Virginia. Do you have any children? I have two daughters. My younger daughter, Nikki, helps with illustrations. I am also looking forward to adopting 3 children in the near future. Are the events in the book true? Many of the events in the book are based on the experiences I and my daughters had in middle school. Were you considered a Dork in middle school? Yes! And, I’m STILL a DORK! Do you have any pets? I have 2 dogs, a miniature poodle and a yorkie. Will there be more Dork Diaries books? Dork Diaries: Tales From a Not-So-Fabulous Life and Dork Diaries: Tales From a Not-So-Popular Party Girl are now available. Book 3 will be released in June 2011 and Book 4 will be released in 2012.

© 2012 Rachel Renée Russell and Simon & Schuster