Micol Ostow
Encyclopedia
Micol Ostow is an American
author, editor and educator who has written more than 40 published works. Her first original hardcover novel, "Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa", was named a "New York Public Library
Book for the Teen Age". She has also been the ghostwriter
for novelizations of television series such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed and Fearless.
to a Jewish-American father and a Puerto Rican
mother. Even though she was raised in the Jewish faith (her mother, who was a Catholic
, converted before she married her father), she always maintained a good relationship and remained close to her Puerto Rican Catholic family. In 1990, when her grandmother was dying in Puerto Rico, she joined her immediate family and other members of the family who traveled from Florida
, New York
, and other places to the island to be with her. The experience of seeing how easily the family banded together, despite the fact that some of them had never even met before, served as an inspirational factor when she wrote her first novel "Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa".
After Ostow graduated from college, she was hired by the New York City publisher Simon & Schuster
, as an editor. Ostow, who has written as a ghostwriter
for novelizations of popular television series such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, and Fearless, some published under house pseudonyms, began to author young-adult novels.
The book is about a Jewish girl from the suburbs of New York. Her mother has family in Puerto Rico, but Emily has never had any contact with them - not until she's forced to go to the Caribbean for her grandmother's funeral. Even though Emily wants nothing to do with her Puerto Rican heritage a very special person shows her that uncovering her roots is like discovering a secret part of her own heart.
Ostow is also the author (uncredited) of young-adult novels based on television series, including American Dreams, and for novel series, including "Fearless" and "Camp Confidential."
(MFA) degree in writing for children and young adults through Vermont College of Fine Arts
. The Media Bistro's YA (Young Adult) Writing Course instructor, Kristen Kemp was looking for someone to continue her work as an instructor and Ostow, who is a full-time freelance accepted the job. She lives and works in NYC with her Emmy award
-winning filmmaker husband, Noah Harlan
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author, editor and educator who has written more than 40 published works. Her first original hardcover novel, "Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa", was named a "New York Public Library
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is the largest public library in North America and is one of the United States' most significant research libraries...
Book for the Teen Age". She has also been the ghostwriter
Ghostwriter
A ghostwriter is a professional writer who is paid to write books, articles, stories, reports, or other texts that are officially credited to another person. Celebrities, executives, and political leaders often hire ghostwriters to draft or edit autobiographies, magazine articles, or other written...
for novelizations of television series such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed and Fearless.
Early years
Ostow was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to a Jewish-American father and a Puerto Rican
Puerto Rican people
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
mother. Even though she was raised in the Jewish faith (her mother, who was a Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
, converted before she married her father), she always maintained a good relationship and remained close to her Puerto Rican Catholic family. In 1990, when her grandmother was dying in Puerto Rico, she joined her immediate family and other members of the family who traveled from Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and other places to the island to be with her. The experience of seeing how easily the family banded together, despite the fact that some of them had never even met before, served as an inspirational factor when she wrote her first novel "Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa".
After Ostow graduated from college, she was hired by the New York City publisher Simon & Schuster
Simon & Schuster
Simon & Schuster, Inc., a division of CBS Corporation, is a publisher founded in New York City in 1924 by Richard L. Simon and M. Lincoln Schuster. It is one of the four largest English-language publishers, alongside Random House, Penguin and HarperCollins...
, as an editor. Ostow, who has written as a ghostwriter
Ghostwriter
A ghostwriter is a professional writer who is paid to write books, articles, stories, reports, or other texts that are officially credited to another person. Celebrities, executives, and political leaders often hire ghostwriters to draft or edit autobiographies, magazine articles, or other written...
for novelizations of popular television series such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, and Fearless, some published under house pseudonyms, began to author young-adult novels.
"Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa"
Ostow took a Media Bistro's YA (Young Adult) Writing Course. During the course she wrote the "Emily Goldberg Learns To Salsa" pitch and the first ten pages of the manuscript in her class. She sold it before the semester ended.The book is about a Jewish girl from the suburbs of New York. Her mother has family in Puerto Rico, but Emily has never had any contact with them - not until she's forced to go to the Caribbean for her grandmother's funeral. Even though Emily wants nothing to do with her Puerto Rican heritage a very special person shows her that uncovering her roots is like discovering a secret part of her own heart.
Written works
Among the books which Ostow has authored or co-authored are the following:- The Executive Desk Gong (Running Press Mini Kits) (September 17, 2003)
- Westminster Abby (S.A.S.S.) by Micol Ostow (May 5, 2005)
- The Warren Witches (Charmed) by Laura J. Burns, Micol Ostow, Greg Elliot, and Paul Ruditis
- The Quotable Slayer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) by Steven Brezenoff and Micol Ostow (December 2, 2003)
- House of Shards (Charmed) by Micol Ostow (Oct 24, 2006)
- Crush du Jour (Romantic Comedies) by Micol Ostow
- Popular Vote by Micol Ostow
- Changeling Places (Charmed) by Micol Ostow (March 22, 2005)
- 30 Guys in 30 Days (Simon Romantic Comedies) by Micol Ostow (May 31, 2005)
- Ultimate Travel Games (Crazy Games) (May 4, 2006)
- Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa by Micol Ostow (November 2, 2006)
- Mind Your Manners, Dick and Jane by Micol Ostow and Noah Harlan (November 2, 2006)
- Mumble's Journey: The Junior Novelization Happy Feet by Micol Ostow
- GoldenGirl (Bradford Novel) by Micol Ostow (Jan. 27, 2009)
- What Would My Cell Phone Do? by Micol Ostow (Jun 9, 2011)
Ostow is also the author (uncredited) of young-adult novels based on television series, including American Dreams, and for novel series, including "Fearless" and "Camp Confidential."
Currently
After spending the first eight years of her career as an editor, Ostow decided to become a freelance writer. She is pursuing a Master of Fine ArtsMaster of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
(MFA) degree in writing for children and young adults through Vermont College of Fine Arts
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,...
. The Media Bistro's YA (Young Adult) Writing Course instructor, Kristen Kemp was looking for someone to continue her work as an instructor and Ostow, who is a full-time freelance accepted the job. She lives and works in NYC with her Emmy award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
-winning filmmaker husband, Noah Harlan
Noah Harlan
Noah Harlan is an Independent film producer and technologist. He has produced six feature films, three with director Raphael Nadjari. Nadjari's "Tehilim" and was In Competition at the 60th Cannes Film Festival in 2007. Noah received an Emmy Award in "Advanced Media Interactivity" in 2008...
.
See also
- List of Puerto Rican writers
- List of Famous Puerto Ricans
- Puerto Rican literature
- Jewish immigration to Puerto RicoJewish immigration to Puerto RicoThe Jewish immigration to Puerto Rico began in the 15th century with the arrival of the anusim who accompanied Christopher Columbus on his second voyage...