Carrie Jones
Encyclopedia
Carrie Jones is an American author
, known for her work in young-adult fiction. She has written books in both the fantasy
and non-fantasy genres, including the paranormal
novel series Need
. Jones has received multiple awards and appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list.
. She moved to Lewiston, Maine
to attend Bates College
. Initially pursuing a career as a lawyer, she later became an editor for newspapers, which led to her winning a Maine Literary Award for nonfiction. In 2007, Jones graduated from Vermont College
's MFA program for writing, prior to which she completed the first draft of what would become her debut novel. She resides in Maine with her husband and daughter.
While reviewing the novel, Dana Rudolph of Bay Windows called it a story of "personal discovery," for both Dylan and Belle. Rudolph also stated that the book "explores the broader ramifications of homophobia and closetedness without resorting to stereotypes." She went on to declare it "an insightful, funny read about first love and first heartbreak." A review from Publishers Weekly
stated that "the author's poetic prose ably captures her heroine's emotional upheavals." Additionally, Tips on Having a Gay (ex) Boyfriend won the 2008 Maine Literary Award for children's fiction, and the Independent Booksellers Award. Jones also received the Martin Dibner Fellowship Award. The novel's sequel, Love (and Other Uses for Duct Tape), was labeled "challenging and thought-provoking, and always real and accessible," by author Kate Messner.
Jones's Girl, Hero, which was released in 2008, revolves around a student actress with a troubled home life. To cope with her difficulties, she writes messages to her hero, deceased movie actor John Wayne
, and bonds with a friendly romantic interest from her school. In July 2008, the novel received recognition from The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents
. The review stated that the story was "raw and real," also commending it for an ability to "empower readers."
A fantasy novel about a haunted town, titled After Obsession and scheduled for release in 2011, was announced in 2010. The book is a collaborative novel by Jones and author Steven E. Wedel
.
, debuted in autumn 2008. She has described the story as being "about multiple things," including "finding yourself, finding love, solving a bit of a mystery," and "not getting dead." The novels follow a girl named Zara, who is drawn into a struggle against a group of malicious pixie
s. As the story progresses, Zara makes several new friends and allies, including a werewolf
named Nick. In addition to the central conflict, Need explores themes surrounding integrity and personal phobias, while also examining strong-willed heroines and Norse mythology
.
The series has largely been met with critical acclaim, while the initial entry was also listed as one of VOYA's best speculative fiction books of 2008. In a 2009 review of the first novel, Dale McGarrigle of the Bangor Daily News
stated that, "While Need definitely has teen appeal, it’s a book that, like the best in this genre, will attract adult readers as well. It will fulfill a need for many." The second book in the series, Captivate, debuted at #7 on the New York Times Best Seller list in the "Children's Books—Chapter Books" subcategory.
, which the author has also participated in. While discussing this in a 2008 interview, she cited a desire for her heroines to care about more than "boys and clothes." In addition, her works regularly feature small communities with close-knit residents. The author has claimed to draw inspiration from her own city of Ellsworth, Maine while writing. Musician
s have also appeared more than once in her stories, with the characters Belle and Liliana (the protagonist of Girl, Hero) both having an interest in music. Jones has stated that she plays piano in private, and that she participated in a song-and-dance company, along with comedian Sarah Silverman
, while in junior high school.
The fourth is expected out by the spring of 2012.
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, known for her work in young-adult fiction. She has written books in both the fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
and non-fantasy genres, including the paranormal
Paranormal
Paranormal is a general term that designates experiences that lie outside "the range of normal experience or scientific explanation" or that indicates phenomena understood to be outside of science's current ability to explain or measure...
novel series Need
Need (novel series)
Need is a series of young-adult urban fantasy novels by American author Carrie Jones, beginning with the inaugural entry of the same name. The focus of the story is a teenage girl named Zara, who joins a struggle against a society of malicious pixies...
. Jones has received multiple awards and appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list.
Personal life and education
Carrie Jones was raised in Bedford, New HampshireBedford, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the Census of 2000, there were 18,274 people, 6,251 households, and 5,125 families residing in the town. The population density was 556.6 people per square mile . There were 6,401 housing units at an average density of 195.0 per square mile...
. She moved to Lewiston, Maine
Lewiston, Maine
Lewiston is a city in Androscoggin County in Maine, and the second-largest city in the state. The population was 41,592 at the 2010 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included within the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine...
to attend Bates College
Bates College
Bates College is a highly selective, private liberal arts college located in Lewiston, Maine, in the United States. and was most recently ranked 21st in the nation in the 2011 US News Best Liberal Arts Colleges rankings. The college was founded in 1855 by abolitionists...
. Initially pursuing a career as a lawyer, she later became an editor for newspapers, which led to her winning a Maine Literary Award for nonfiction. In 2007, Jones graduated from Vermont College
Vermont College of Fine Arts
Vermont College of Fine Arts offers four distinct graduate programs, awarding Master of Fine Arts degrees in Visual Art, Writing, Writing for Children & Young Adults and Graphic Design. The student to faculty ratio at VCFA is 4-to-1.. The faculty and alumni of VCFA have won many literary awards,...
's MFA program for writing, prior to which she completed the first draft of what would become her debut novel. She resides in Maine with her husband and daughter.
Career
Jones's 2007 debut novel, Tips on Having a Gay (ex) Boyfriend, introduces a girl named Belle, whose longtime boyfriend Dylan eventually informs her that he is gay. The revelation leaves Belle torn between her resentment toward Dylan's secrecy, and her concern as he adjusts to his new identity in their town. Jones has labeled it a story of "self-discovery and understanding and all the different kinds of love out there." The novel was based in part on an experience that Jones had during high school. While exploring Belle's situation, the author felt compelled to reveal that "negative feelings aren’t all the feelings possible when your boyfriend comes out. You can feel proud of him. You can feel sad that he was afraid to tell the truth for so long. You can feel used sometimes. You can feel angry sometimes, but eventually, lots of the time you still love him. You still care about him. You want the best for him. In Tips I really wanted those positive feelings to eventually come out."While reviewing the novel, Dana Rudolph of Bay Windows called it a story of "personal discovery," for both Dylan and Belle. Rudolph also stated that the book "explores the broader ramifications of homophobia and closetedness without resorting to stereotypes." She went on to declare it "an insightful, funny read about first love and first heartbreak." A review from Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
stated that "the author's poetic prose ably captures her heroine's emotional upheavals." Additionally, Tips on Having a Gay (ex) Boyfriend won the 2008 Maine Literary Award for children's fiction, and the Independent Booksellers Award. Jones also received the Martin Dibner Fellowship Award. The novel's sequel, Love (and Other Uses for Duct Tape), was labeled "challenging and thought-provoking, and always real and accessible," by author Kate Messner.
Jones's Girl, Hero, which was released in 2008, revolves around a student actress with a troubled home life. To cope with her difficulties, she writes messages to her hero, deceased movie actor John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
, and bonds with a friendly romantic interest from her school. In July 2008, the novel received recognition from The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents
The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents
ALAN, The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents is an independent assembly of NCTE. Founded in November 1973, ALAN is made up of teachers, authors, librarians, publishers, teacher-educators and their students, and others who are particularly interested in the area of young adult literature...
. The review stated that the story was "raw and real," also commending it for an ability to "empower readers."
A fantasy novel about a haunted town, titled After Obsession and scheduled for release in 2011, was announced in 2010. The book is a collaborative novel by Jones and author Steven E. Wedel
Steven E. Wedel
Steven E. Wedel is an American author currently residing in Moore, Oklahoma. He is best known for his series of books in The Werewolf Saga, all published by Scrybe Press of Morristown, New York....
.
Need
Jones's most well-known work, the fantasy series NeedNeed (novel series)
Need is a series of young-adult urban fantasy novels by American author Carrie Jones, beginning with the inaugural entry of the same name. The focus of the story is a teenage girl named Zara, who joins a struggle against a society of malicious pixies...
, debuted in autumn 2008. She has described the story as being "about multiple things," including "finding yourself, finding love, solving a bit of a mystery," and "not getting dead." The novels follow a girl named Zara, who is drawn into a struggle against a group of malicious pixie
Pixie
Pixies are mythical creatures of folklore, considered to be particularly concentrated in the areas around Devon and Cornwall, suggesting some Celtic origin for the belief and name.They are usually depicted with pointed ears, and often wearing a green outfit and pointed...
s. As the story progresses, Zara makes several new friends and allies, including a werewolf
Werewolf
A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope , is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse...
named Nick. In addition to the central conflict, Need explores themes surrounding integrity and personal phobias, while also examining strong-willed heroines and Norse mythology
Norse mythology
Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology, is the overall term for the myths, legends and beliefs about supernatural beings of Norse pagans. It flourished prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia, during the Early Middle Ages, and passed into Nordic folklore, with some aspects surviving...
.
The series has largely been met with critical acclaim, while the initial entry was also listed as one of VOYA's best speculative fiction books of 2008. In a 2009 review of the first novel, Dale McGarrigle of the Bangor Daily News
Bangor Daily News
The Bangor Daily News is an American newspaper that was founded on June 18, 1889; in 1900 the paper merged with the Bangor Whig and Courier. The Bangor Publishing Co. publishes the paper in Bangor, Maine, in addition to two weekly papers distributed by the BDN and several others distributed by the...
stated that, "While Need definitely has teen appeal, it’s a book that, like the best in this genre, will attract adult readers as well. It will fulfill a need for many." The second book in the series, Captivate, debuted at #7 on the New York Times Best Seller list in the "Children's Books—Chapter Books" subcategory.
Recurring elements
Jones's characters are sometimes involved with Amnesty InternationalAmnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
, which the author has also participated in. While discussing this in a 2008 interview, she cited a desire for her heroines to care about more than "boys and clothes." In addition, her works regularly feature small communities with close-knit residents. The author has claimed to draw inspiration from her own city of Ellsworth, Maine while writing. Musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
s have also appeared more than once in her stories, with the characters Belle and Liliana (the protagonist of Girl, Hero) both having an interest in music. Jones has stated that she plays piano in private, and that she participated in a song-and-dance company, along with comedian Sarah Silverman
Sarah Silverman
Sarah Kate Silverman is a Jewish American comedian, writer, actress, singer and musician. Her satirical comedy addresses social taboos and controversial topics such as racism, sexism, and religion....
, while in junior high school.
Writing approach
During a 2009 interview, Jones was asked about the appeal of the young-adult genre, and how the lines between fantasy and the real world blurred in her writing. Her response was as follows:Belle series
- Tips on Having a Gay (ex) Boyfriend (May 2007, ISBN 978-0738710501)
- Love (and Other Uses for Duct Tape) (March 2008, ISBN 978-0738712574)
Need series
- Need (December 2008, ISBN 978-1599904535)
- Captivate (January 2010, ISBN 978-1599903422)
- Entice (December 2010, ISBN 978-1599905532)
The fourth is expected out by the spring of 2012.
Additional work
- Girl, Hero (August 2008, ISBN 978-0738710518)
- After Obsession (2011) with Steven E. WedelSteven E. WedelSteven E. Wedel is an American author currently residing in Moore, Oklahoma. He is best known for his series of books in The Werewolf Saga, all published by Scrybe Press of Morristown, New York....