Erica B. Marcus
Erica Marcus has spent over fifteen years learning from the teens she works with as a classroom teacher, mindfulness educator/director, and a wilderness youth therapy field guide. She is based in Portland, Maine.
Interview
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
I can’t recall, but I know I tore through the Boxcar Children Series and the Babysitter’s Club Series. Apparently, I was into series.
What’s your favorite line from a book?
I’m cheating and going with a book of poetry here. A line from Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese- “You do not have to be good.” As a recovering perfectionist, I find this simple idea so soothing.
Who are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?
Impossible! But three of my favorites are: Robin Wall Kimmerer, Barbara Kingsolver, and Elena Ferrante… but also Sandra Cisneros, Lois Lowry, Laurie Halse Anderson… I could go on, and on, and on…
Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?
I am interested in conversation! To me, creating a book was an opportunity to start a conversation with readers. I look forward to hearing back from readers about what it makes them think about!
Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?
Make sure what you are writing about means something to you! And just keep going… You can circle back to that part later.
