An Inside Look with Elly Swartz
*Season #SIX (Summer 2019)
How did you come to know Autumn?
Autumn was inspired by so many kids I’ve had the privilege of meeting in schools, bookstores, and coffee shops. The kids who struggle to find, own, and accept their voice. The kids who think strong is meant for the popular, the loud, and the unafraid. I want these kids to know they are strong and brave. They are valued. And they are able to connect. Even if connecting feels hard and uncomfortable. I want these kids to know that sometimes we all feel like Autumn. We all struggle to find the right words to say, the right clothes to wear, the right way to be. In our social media world, kids often see only the shiny penny version of life. The highly manicured happy moments. But those are just slivers of time. I want kids to know we all experience all the feels. Even if they may not see them in the latest videos on Tik Tok.
What do you think is her most admirable quality?
I think Autumn’s quiet strength is her most admirable trait. And one she had to learn to see in a positive way. Autumn always knew she was quiet and, at times, uncomfortable in her own skin. She felt those qualities barred her from being strong and brave. Like those things were reserved for the kids who were president of the clubs, wore the right clothes, were friends with everyone. But the truth is, strong and brave look many different ways. And the most fearless thing you can do is be yourself.
Throughout the story, Autumn talks about Fearless Fred, “the part of each of us that fear can’t boss around.” (p. 10). By the end of DEAR STUDENT, Autumn has discovered her Fearless Fred, found her voice, and the courage and strength to use it.
Is there anything you wish Autumn would have changed or done differently in her story?
I wish Autumn would have realized her own worth and fearlessness earlier in her story. I wish Autumn would have realized that her voice mattered. But maybe the most important thing is that, in the end, she did. And I have a feeling she’s using her voice today to make a difference.
What do you think she can offer to other children that are experiencing similar situations to what she went through?
I think we are all a bit like Autumn.
We all have moments when we step into a room and wonder if we fit. If we’re saying the right words, wearing the right clothes, doing the right things. Moments where we wonder if we belong. In those moments, I hope kids realize that we are all working on something. That they do belong. They do matter.
They don’t have to act like someone else, dress like someone else, or talk like someone else to fit.
They just have to stay true to themselves. Truly, that’s the bravest thing we can all do.
How did you research Autumn and the circumstances she found herself in?
All of my books are the product of tons of research. I think it might be the lawyer in me. Authenticity and respect are at the cornerstone of my writing. And I am beyond grateful to the many people who shared their expertise and time with me. In DEAR STUDENT, the experts I consulted with were:
*a pediatric therapist who specializes in anxiety
*a person who specializes in iguanas and snakes (pregnant ones!)
*a congressman who sponsored the Humane Act bill that prevents the testing of cosmetics on animals and those in his office in charge of the bill
*a Peace Corps volunteer
*educators who kindly shared their Spanish translation skills and input with me
Do you and she share any similarities?
think all of my characters have a dash of me in them. As for Autumn, I think she and I worry too much. Love big. Want to make a positive difference in the world. And love animals.
What was the hardest scene to write about Autumn?
There were a few difficult scenes to write in this book. I felt so attached to Autumn and didn’t want her to hurt. But I couldn’t protect her. I had to let her feel all the feels.
One scene that was hard to write was at the dance. Autumn wanted so desperately for Logan to want her to be out on the dance floor. Autumn wanted to feel like she mattered. And when she was sitting on the bleachers watching, I think in her heart she realized that she didn’t. Not to Logan. Not in that moment. Another hard scene to write was when Autumn learned who revealed her secret. Capturing the sadness, anger and heartache that comes when trust is broken hurt my heart.
Who do you think was her biggest supporter and why?
Hands-down, Prisha was Autumn’s biggest ally. Because Prisha was her friend. Prisha knew her heart. And friends don’t leave. Or judge. Or hurt you on purpose. True friends will always be there. As Autumn says, “We don’t have to think the same or believe the same things to be friends. But we do always have to be kind to each other. And respectful of each other.” (p. 255-56).
Why do you think young people sometimes have struggles with their friendships and put the “wants” of others before their own?
This is a great question. I, however, think this is something that grown-ups struggle with, as well. I think insecurity and self-doubt are some of the reasons people put the needs of others above their own. They don’t recognize their own worth. They want so badly to be part of something, they devalue their own needs and put the wants of others first.
I truly hope readers know they matter.
What do you think Autumn is doing at the present time?
I love this question. I think Autumn is fearlessly using her voice to make a difference in this world. With kindness and compassion, and Spud the guinea pig is by her side.
Fun fact… Spud’s real name is Ajax and he’s my son’s guinea pig (pictured below). I babysat for him while my son moved out west and fell in love with this giant baked potato of a guinea pig and knew I wanted readers to meet him. He’s actually a rescue and currently 6 years old!
A few more fun things to share...
Whoopie Pies! There are recipes in the back of the book for Autumn’s Fearless Fred’s Whoopie Pies. And there are even allergy friendly recipes for readers like me who can’t have gluten or dairy.
And now that I’ve gotten you hungry for the book, I just wanted to tell you all the fun things that happen when you pre-order.
Special signed copies!
If you pre-order DEAR STUDENT (pubs 2/15/22) from Eight Cousins, Wellesley Books, or The Brain Lair, your book will be signed to the reader of your choosing and you'll receive a limited-edition bookmark!
Other prizes!
If you pre-order from Eight Cousins, Wellesley Books, The Brain Lair, or anywhere books are sold, and send proof of purchase to dearstudentpreorder@gmail.com, you'll be entered to win one of the three prizes below. Winners randomly chosen on 2/15/22. Good luck!
** Happy Prize. A signed Brave Like Me poster
** Dear Prize. Handwritten letters to you, your bookclub, your group of friends (up to 20), or your class from me in the style of Dear Student.
** Virtual Prize. A free 30 minute virtual Q & A with me
SEASON #SIX (Summer 2019)
Interview #122 with Tamara Bundy (Author of Pixie Pushes On)
Interview #123 with Lindsay Lackey (Author of All the Impossible Things)
Interview #124 with Tae Keller (Author of When You Trap a Tiger)
Interview #125 with Jamie Sumner (Author of Roll With It)
Interview #126 with Hena Khan (Author of More to the Story)
Interview #127 with Phil Bildner (Author of A High-Five for Glenn Burke)
Interview #128 with Leslie Connor (Author of A Home for Goddesses and Dogs)
Interview#129 with Gillian McDunn (Author of Queen Bee and Me)
Interview #130 with Jody J. Little (Author of Worse Than Weird)
Interview #131 with Jenn Bishop (Author of Things You Can't Say)
Interview #132 with Kaela Noel (Author of Coo)
Interview #133 with Rebecca Stead (Author of The List of Things That Will Not Change)
Interview #134 with Gae Polisner (Author of Jack Kerouac is Dead to Me)
Interview #135 with Emily Blejwas (Author of Like Nothing Amazing Ever Happened)
Interview #136 with Joy McCullough (Author of A Field Guide to Getting Lost)
Interview #137 with Kim Baker (Author of the Water Bears)
Interview #138 with Erin Entrada Kelly (Author of We Dream of Space)
Interview #139 with Jess Redman (Author of Quintessence)
Interview #140 with Melanie Conklin (Author of Every Missing Piece)
Interview #141 with Lindsey Stoddard (Author of Brave Like That)
Interview #158 with Rebecca Ansari (Author of The In-Between)
Interview #159 with John David Anderson (Author of One Last Shot)
Interview #160 with Tracy Holczer (Author of Brave in the Woods)
Interview #161 with James Bird (Author of The Brave)
Interview #162 with Marcella Pixley (Author of Trowbridge Road)
Interview #163 with Barbara O'Connor (Author of Halfway to Harmony)
Interview #164 with Alan Gratz (Author of Ground Zero)
Interview #165 with Lisa Fipps (Author of Starfish)
Interview #166 with Ann Braden (Author of Flight of the Puffin)
Interview #167 with Kimberly Willis Holt (Author of The Ambassador of NoWhere Texas)
Interview #168 with Elana K. Arnold (Author of The House That Wasn't There)
Interview #169 with Erin Soderberg (Author of The Great Peach Experiment)
Interview #170 with Donna Gephart (Author of Abby, Tried, and True)
Interview #171 with M. Evan Wolkenstein (Author of Turtle Boy)
Interview #172 with Lindsey Stoddard (Author of Bea is for Blended)
Interview #173 with Jess Redman (Author of The Adventure is Now)
Interview #174 with David Levithan (Author of The Mysterious Disappearance of Aiden)
Interview #175 with Chris Grabenstein (Author of The Smartest Kid in the Universe)
Interview #176 with Ali Standish (Author of The Mending Summer)
Interview #177 with Holly Goldberg Sloan (Author of The Elephant in the Room)
Interview #178 with Jeff Zentner (Author of In the Wild Light)
SEASON #ELEVEN (Fall 2021)
Interview #179 with Katherine Applegate (Author of Willow)
Interview #180 with Padma Venkatraman (Author of Born Behind Bars)
Interview #181 with R.J. Palacio (Author of Pony)
Interview #182 with Kyle Lukoff (Author of Too Bright to See)
Interview #183 with Barbara Dee (Author of Violets are Blue)
Interview #184 with Anne Ursu (Author of The Troubled Girls of Dragonmir Academy) f
Interview #185 with Margaret Finnegan (Author of We Could Be Heroes)
Interview #186 with Jasmine Warga (Author of Shape of Thunder)
Interview #187 with Joseph Bruchac (Author of Rez Dogs)
Interview #188 with Kathryn Erskine (Author of Lily's Promise)
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