Pamela F. Service
Photo by Robert G. Service
Born in Berkeley, California, Pamela F. Service grew up loving to hear, read, and tell stories—particularly about weird stuff. Pamela earned a BA in Political Science from UC Berkeley followed by an MA in history and archaeology from the University of London. She spent many years living in Bloomington, Indiana, writing, serving on the city council, and being curator of a history museum. She has a grown daughter, Alex, who is also a museum curator. Pamela is now living in Eureka, California, where she writes, works as a museum curator, and acts in community theater.
Interview
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
- Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
What’s your favorite line from a book?
- "Goodnight noises everywhere."—Margaret Wise Brown, Goodnight Moon
Who are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?
Rosemary Sutcliff, J. R. R.Tolkien, Susan Cooper
Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?
Because I had stories in my head that needed telling.
Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?
- Don’t be easily discouraged—have faith in yourself, even if no one else seems to. I got 14 years of rejection slips before my first novel was accepted.