Find out more here about Melinda R. Cordell, children's writer,
and garden writer.
I've worked as a reporter, a city horticulturist, and an editorial assistant for The Laurel Review, but I'm now a freelance writer after having written part-time for nearly 10 years. I substitute teach right now; I love eavesdropping on the students' conversations and learning what's on their minds. I get to see first-hand what books they read and what music they listen to. It's been really enlightening.
I’ve worked in gardening and greenhouse jobs for fifteen years. For the last six years I was a horticulturist for St. Joseph (Mo.) Parks and Recreation. Then my job was cut, the city manager got a raise, and everyone was happy. While with Parks, the rose garden was my jewel. I cared for over 300 roses, many of which I’d chosen and planted myself. I’m most fascinated by antique roses and their histories
I had a writing minor (horticulture major) for my bachelor’s degree; I have around 12 hours toward an MA in English, but left that because I’d really like an MFA in children’s writing from Vermont College. However, I’m putting that off until my daughter goes to kindergarten. One more year….
Lately, I’ve been writing some nonfiction to get some cash and more writing credits under my belt. Most of my nonfiction is about natural history (wasps and prairie chickens, for instance) or gardening how-to.
I’ve written a gardening column for the St. Joseph News-Press for the last nine years; I have over 300 newspaper articles, columns, and book reviews to my credit. Articles have been published in Digger, Garden Compass, The 2006 Almanac for Farmers and City Folk, Grit, BackHome, Capper’s, Kansas City Gardener, and Highlights. Also I'm a staff writer for Practical Gardener. I’m a member of a super critique group, too, the Fantasyweavers. We critique about 60 pages of novels every month. When in college I received a $300 scholarship for the short story "Requiem" (included in the Angel collection). I was published in small magazines like Potpourri, Green Hills Literary Lantern, Sunflower Petals, Lynx, and several state SCBWI newsletters.
On the fiction side, I’ve published stories in Cicada, Read, and Cricket. I have three novels that I’ve been working on and a short-story collection. All of the novels are in their millionth draft. I want my debut novel to be a winner. I want all of them to be winners.
I'm a member of Juvenile Writers of Kansas City. Check out our April 2006 conference here; it is a doozy.
Looking to contact me? Click on the link here. All mail must be accompanied by $100 bills.
On the CD player the last few weeks:
Johnny Cash -- The Man Comes Around
Crash Test Dummies -- The Ghosts That Haunt Me
John Lennon -- Legend
Roger Miller -- Golden Hits
Anthony Gomes -- Unity
Kelley Hunt – New Shade of Blue
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