About

Melanie Conklin grew up in North Carolina and worked as a product designer before she began her writing career. She is the author of Counting Thyme, Every Missing Piece, A Perfect Mistake, Crushed (2024), and her debut picture book, When You Have to Wait (2024). Her books have won awards such as the International Literacy Association Teacher’s Choice Award, Bank Street Best Children’s Book, and nominations to six state reading lists. When she’s not writing, Melanie spends her time doodling and dreaming up new ways to be creative. She lives in New Jersey with her family.

Press Kit

Secrets About Melanie

  • I didn’t always want to be a writer! I’ve always loved books, but it took me a long time to write one of my own. Naturally, that book was really terrible. It was about a psychic girl who could tell the future just by closing her eyes and scrunching up her nose. That’s right, she had a magic nose.
  • Before I started writing, I was a product designer. I’ve designed some strange things: eye-wash stations, label makers, baby incubators, and pencil cups.
  • I read all kinds of middle grade as a kid: Where the Red Fern Grows, Charlotte’s Web, The Secret Garden, and every book by Roald Dahl. Newer middle grade books I love: Wonder, One for the Murphy’s, Slob, and everything by Rebecca Stead (When You Reach Me is my favorite).
  • I bake crazy cakes for my kids, but only once a year on their birthdays!
  • I hated middle school. My hair never cooperated, no matter how much hairspray I used, and I never felt like I wore the right clothes. Looking back, I can see I did just fine—but it was NOT EASY then!
  • I have a serious Post-it note addiction.
  • When I get hungry, one of my favorite snacks is a pack of peanut butter cheese crackers dipped in raspberry yogurt. I know it sounds gross, but I can’t help it!
  • My worst fear is dying before I get to write all the stories in my head. Also, cockroaches.
  • I really hope that my words mean something to you. I love books so much that sometimes I can’t stop thinking about them for days. I’d like to make that happen for someone. That’s my dream.

Extras