Author Talk: Lois Duncan

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Author TalkLois Duncan

• Minori Oumi
• LIS 682
• 3/23/06

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Presentation Overview

• Biography
• Writing
• Books
• Themes

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Biography

• Born on April 28, 1934 in Philadelphia, PA
• Parents - professional photographers
• Family moved to Sarasota, FL
• Submitted work for publication from age of 10
• Advised to write about what she knew

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Biography

• Age 13 - First work published (Seventeen
  magazine)
• Enrolls in Duke University
• Marries first husband (Drops out of college)
• Has three children (Robyn, Kerry, Brett)
• Wins Seventeenth Summer Literary Contest winning
  entry Debutante Hill published
• Uses pen name Lois Kerry

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Biography

• Children from first marriage
• Robyn 1954
• Kerry 1956
• Brett - 1960
• Divorces first husband (1961)
• Marries second husband (1965)
• Has two more children
• Donnie - 1967
• Kaitlyn 1970

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Biography

• University of New Mexico -Instructor of
  Journalism
• University of New Mexico BA academic honors
• Wrote for magazines
• Contributing editor for Womans Day magazine

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National Award for Body of Work

• Margaret A. Edwards Award for a Distinguished
  Body of Work for Young Adults,
• from the YA Services Committee of the ALA the
  School Library Journal-- l992

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Genres of work

• Picture books
• Poetry
• Songs
• Magazine articles
• Young Adult Novels
• Non-fiction
• Anthologies - editor

Lois Duncan on right winning an award for
Gallows Hill
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Ransom (1966)

• Five teenagers kidnapped and held for ransom
• Actually happened after this
• Movie Held for Ransom (2000)

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They Never Came Home (1969)

• Mysterious disappearance of boyfriend and brother

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Gift of Magic (1971)

• Nancy teenage psychic who has visions
• Rejected many times for subject matter
• Opened door for more books on this topic

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I Know What You Did Last Summer (1973)

• Movie released in 1997
• Lois Duncan hates movie
• Movie sequel in 1999
• Renewed interest in her books

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Down a Dark Hall (1974)

• Kit student at Blackwood School for Girls
• What evil secrets lie in the walls of the school?

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Summer of Fear (1976)

• Rachels life is taken over by her cousin Julia
• Why is Rachel so afraid of her?
• NBC Movie of the Week - Stranger In Our House
  (1978)

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Killing Mr. Griffin (1978)

• NBC Movie of the Week - 1997

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Daughters of Eve (1979)

• Manipulation by peers and adults
• Feminist theme

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Stranger with My Face (1981)

• Laurie was seen by others coming and going when
  she was sick in bed
• What is going on?

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The Third Eye (1984)

• Karen teenage crime psychic

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Locked in Time (1985)

• Something is strange about Nores new stepmother
  and stepsiblings
• Inspired by strained relationship between her and
  her daughter

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The Twisted Window (1987)

• Who is the mysterious stranger watching Tracy?
• Why is he watching her?

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Gallows Hill (1997)

• Sarah another teenage psychic
• People in town still believe in witches
• NBC Movie of the Week - I've Been Waiting For You
  (1998)

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Dont Look Behind You (1990)

• April has to go into hiding with her family
• Headstrong teenager (like daughter Kaitlyn)
• TV movie, Fox Family Channel (1999)
• Lois Duncan dislikes book too many similarities
  with daughters murder

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Who Killed My Daughter? (1992)

• Non-fiction account of her daughter Kaitlyns
  murder (shot in head)
• Involvement in Vietnamese mafia
• Question of police cover-up
• Visits to psychics to uncover information

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Who Killed My Daughter? (1992)

• Notes taken during investigation
• Unable to write young adult fiction until Gallows
  Hill (1997)
• School Library Journal Best Adult Book for Young
  Adults
• Writing sequel release date undetermined

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Themes

• Taking responsibility for actions
• Not giving in to peer pressure
• Manipulation
• Dual identities

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Current biography

• Has written 46 books (so far)
• Death threats - Living in hiding
• Website http//loisduncan.arquettes.com
• Links to updates on murder case
• Link to message board