A message from Joyce:

I’m guessing you came to this website after reading my novel The Usual Rules, or my novel for young adults, The Cloud Chamber -- the two books of mine that feature a young person as the main character.

I don’t write differently, when I’m writing for young readers, than I do when I write for adults. I always hated it, when I was young myself, and someone spoke to me in a way that suggested he or she didn’t think I understood things very well. What I know, from my own memories of being young, and from the years I spent with my own three kids when they were teenagers, is that kids understand just about everything that’s going on in the house. If there’s anyone around who doesn’t get the full picture, it may be the parents.

So, I don’t think of Cloud Chamber and Usual Rules as “for young readers.” They’re stories, for who ever takes an interest. But I hope young people will discover these novels, and if you do, I hope you’ll let me know what you think about them. You can post your observations and thoughts on the discussion forum here, and I’ll be sure to read them (and respond, if I can). Or you can write to me privately.

And because I plan to write more books for young readers, I will always be interested to hear about things that are going on in your life, that you think someone like me, who writes stories, should know about. Especially now that my own three kids -- Audrey, Charlie, and Will -- are grown up and out in the world, I count on my young readers to give me ideas.

School Visits

I love to visit schools and work with kids. If your school would be interested in hosting a visit (assembly talk, work with students about writing), my contact at Simon and Schuster is Jodie Cohen, 212.698.7432.

Letters to Joyce Maynard

The discussion forum here is one way of letting me know what you’ve been thinking about, as well as communicating with others who visit this site. But if you’d like to write me a personal letter, you may.

Your letters mean a lot to me, and I read every one I receive. I try to respond, but please know that if you don’t hear from me, it is only because I’m traveling, or immersed in a book project. You can reach me at jmaynard@ix.netcom.com.

 RECOMMEND JOYCEMAYNARD.COM TO A FRIEND

THE USUAL RULES • TOP OF PAGE • THE CLOUD CHAMBER