My main literary focus is YA Fantasy. I also write poetry, and have dabbled with various other forms of fiction, but what I love most if crafting worlds of magic on the page.
When I'm not writing, I'm still immersed in literary pursuits. I've always been an avid reader, and I was able to turn this into my first career as a teacher. I used to teach middle school, and that's where I started writing seriously: I always dreamed of being a writer when I was younger, but somewhere along the way I lost sight of that goal. Working with teens who were bursting with creativity reignited my passion for words. Now, I teach at the local community college (and a little bit at an online university). It's different teaching adults, and I really can't compare it to teaching teens. I love both aspects of my teacher-self, however, and I'm happy that I get to spend part of my time helping people reach their educational goals.
I've held a number of jobs in my life: I've sold books, furniture, ice cream, and sandwiches. I studied English in college, and went on to earn my Master's in Library Science. I've been reviewing for VOYA for the past four years, and I love all the pieces that make up the quilt of my life. It just keeps coming back to literature...
I grew up in Michigan, but I was too cold there, so I moved to North Carolina with my husband and my cat. The cat, Delphi, keeps me company when I'm working...she thinks she is much more important than anything I could be doing on the computer.
If you want to know more about my adult fiction and spiritual memoir, follow my other writing blog: http://jennifermcconnel.wordpress.com/