So, you may want to ask DJ Schneider? How did your Melanie Simpson Series come about?

Here is his answer: One day long ago, when times were simpler, while I was meandering the halls of the local library I happened upon a book by Charles Berlitz and William Moore titled, The Roswell Incident. I became instantly fascinated and ever since have read everything I could find about the Roswell crash, the world of UFOs and the possibility of life on other planets. Do I believe Roswell really happened? Absolutely! I actually was a bit of a skeptic at first, but after extensive research I am a true believer that intelligent life exists out there. Thus, it made sense (at least to me) to combine my love of writing with my interest in the UFO world. And why not write a novel series in the young adult genre? Roswell, and so many other significant events surrounding UFOs happened in the 40s through the 70s. I felt it important to write a novel that brought this information to our newer generations in a fun, yet informative way. And, it has also turned out to be a great crossover with the baby boomers who lived in those times.

On the conventional side? I love to write. I honed my creative writing skills at the Log Cabin Literary Center in Boise, Idaho with a writing group called the Magnificent Seven. I worked with Kelly Jones (The Woman Who Heard Color, Penguin Group), helping to edit her novel, The Last Madonna, and with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tony Doerr (All the Light We Cannot See, Simon and Schuster)?both instrumental in developing my craft. I also spent many years as a professional writer/producer in the advertising field for radio, television, and print, having owned an advertising agency at one point. I am a member of SCBWI, Willamette Writers, and the Gresham Writers.

Right now, I am nearing the Orion Nebula, touring the universe on a spaceship with two of my novel characters, Orbit and Slug (you don't know about them yet, but will). When I finally set my feet on earth again, it will be in Oregon where I live, returning to what I call 'The Writing Cave.' There I will continue work on Melanie's next great adventure, and on another book I am writing called River of Dreams.