PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Former: Elementary School Teacher
Former: National Language Arts Consultant for Glencoe Publishing Co.
Former: Reading and Math Tutor, Legal Assistant
Former: Instructor: University of California Extension, The Writing Center, CLASS Seminars
Former: Editor: Connections, newsletter for instructors at The Institute
Current: Instructor: Long Ridge Writers Group; Mentor: The Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild
Current: Author/Speaker/Writing Consultant/Personality Plus Trainer

PUBLISHED CREDITS

BOOKS:

CONTRIBUTIONS TO ANTHOLOGIES/CONSULTING SERVICES:

Contributor to God Answers Prayers, 2005
Contributor to A Woman's Journey and Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman's Soul, 2002
Contributor and editor for A Woman’s Way to Incredible Success in Business, Adams, 2001.
Contributor of study notes to Women of Faith Study Bible, (NIV) Zondervan Publishing House, 2001.
Contributor to Love Extravagantly, Bethany House Publishers, 2001
Editor for Protecting Your Child From the Harm of Pornography, Citizens for Community Values of San Diego, 2000
Consulting/Editing for Cracking the Coconut: Classic Thai Home Cooking, Morrow, 2000.
Editor for Ages and Stages of Getting Children Orgamized, Life Management Skills, 2000
Contributor to Bounce Back, Bounce Back Too, and Teens Can Bounce Back Christian Publications, 1997, 98, 99.
Contributor to God's Vitamin C for the Spirit, Starburst Publishing Co., 1996
Contributor to God’s Vitamin C for the Christmas Spirit, Starbrust Publishing Co., 1996
Assistant Editor for Wilderness Basics, Sierra Club, 1991.
Contributor to Tools of the Writing Trade, Harper Collins, 1990, by the American Society of Journalists and Authors
Contributor to The Complete Guide to Writing Nonfiction, Writer's Digest Books, 1983 and
Harper and Row, 1988, by the American Society of Journalists and Authors
others...

MAGAZINE PIECES:

300-plus articles and stories for a variety of adult and juvenile publications, including: Reader's Digest, Office Hours, Young Miss, Seventeen, Cobblestone, and a variety of religious magazines, including Decision, Christian Parenting Today, Seek, Purpose, Sunday Digest, Presbyterian Journal, Tapestry, and many others.

EDUCATIONAL MARKETS:

A variety of textbook lessons, flash cards, films and computer reading program for Jostens Learning Corporation, McGraw Hill, Economy, Scott Foresman, Curriculum Concepts, Benziger, Glencoe, Grolier, North American Films, Book Productions, and The Learning Source.

AWARDS:

2005 Paul A. Witty Award for short story writing from the International Reading Association.

2002 Special Recognition Award, Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference.

2000 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, A Ticket to Vietnam, (Carolrhoda Books, 1999).

1999 First Place Award (self-help division) from San Diego Book Awards Association for Squeeze the Moment: 31 Days to a More Joyful Heart (WaterBrook Press, 1999).

1999 Second Place Award (juvenile non-fiction division) from San Diego Book Awards Association for The Globetrotters Club: Vietnam (Carolrhoda Press, 1999).

Honorable Mention, 1999, from San Diego Christian Writers Guild for Squeeze the Moment: 31 Days to a More Joyful Heart (WaterBrook Press, 1999).

Best Book Published in 1998 Award, San Diego Christian Writers Guild, 1998 for
Basket of Blessings: 31 Days to a More Grateful Heart (Water Brook Press)

Second Place, Inspirational Category, San Diego Book Awards Association, 1998 for
Basket of Blessings: 31 Days to a More Grateful Heart (Water Brook Press)

Writer of the Year Award, San Diego Christian Writers Guild, 1997

Certificate of Excellence for Distinguished Writing, How To Hook Your Kids On Books (Nelson) San Diego Christian Writers Guild, 1996

Third Place - Children’s Nonfiction for A Kurdish Family, (Lerner), San Diego Book Awards Association, 1996

Nominee for Gold Medallion Award (National Assoc. of Evangelical Publishers) for When Spending Takes the Place of Feeling (Nelson), 1992.

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children, Try These On For Size, Melody! (Dodd, Mead), 1983.

Second Place - National Federation of Press Women, Working With Horses: A Round-up of Careers, 1983.

First Place - California Press Women Communication Contest, Working With Horses: A Round-up of Careers, 1983

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children, Sally Ride and the New Astronauts, (Franklin Watts), 1982.

Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, Sally Ride and the New Astronauts, (Franklin Watts), 1982

Certificate of Merit, activity book for Christian education (Benziger), Bookbuilders West Book Show, 1981

Certificate of Screening. "A Visit With Don Juan in Hell,' Chicago International Film Festival, 1975

I look forward to speaking with you if you would like to discuss a book project, magazine article, or curriculum assignment with me.

Sincerely,

Karen O'Connor
858-483-3184
karen@karenoconnor.com