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Author Information
 I was born in Hartford, Connecticut, the younger son of Leo and Marie Roy, two nice people who came to the United States from Canada. My brother Bob is two year older than I, and he also lives in Connecticut.
I grew up in the 1950's in a small town, much like Green Lawn, where Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose live in my series. My school was small, made of brick, and housed all the sounds and smells and images you think of when you think "little red schoolhouse". In that small building, I learned to read, write, and make friends.
On a typical Saturday I would go to the movies with friends. For only a quarter we could stay in the movie house half the day. For that twenty-five cent coin, I saw one cowboy movie, one Tarzan movie, and about ten cartoons. Popcorn cost about ten cents (the other day I paid more then four dollars a box)!
My town was safe, so my parents never had to worry about where I was or what I was doing. I was a nature kid, so in my free time I often found myself in the woods with a jar for catching creatures. I brought home snakes, frogs, orphaned squirrels, turtles - anything that would let me catch it. Once at my house, the animals would be transferred to cages made by my dad, with my not too skilled help. I would study the animals for a few days, then release them into the wild again. I learned a great deal about small wildlife in those days, and some of these animals are featured in my books.
I also spent a great deal of time reading when I was growing up. My house happened to be located right across the street from the town library. Most days after school I would stop off at the library to get a few books. I didn't care what I read, as long as it was exciting and filled with fascinating characters. I read THE BLACK STALLION by Walter Farley, then went on to read the rest of the books in the "Black Stallion" series. I also read mysteries, such as THE HARDY BOYS and ENCYCLOPEDIA BROWN. I'm totally convinced that I am a writer today because I loved books as a kid.
Growing up, I thought my life was pretty boring, but now I realize how lucky I was. I had parents who cared for me, I had a forest behind my house for exploring nature, and I had a library a stone's throw away from my front porch for exploring books! What more could a kid want?
After high school I decided to take two years off before college, so I joined the Navy and traveled around the world. Next came four years at the University of Connecticut, where I studied literature. My courses introduced me to such wonderful authors as E.B. White, Charles Dickens, and Mark Twain, to name just a few. I read novels, poetry, and short stories for four years and decided to become a teacher. But, first I needed another degree, so I got a masters degree in teaching from the University of Hartford. I taught kids from grades two through five. Somewhere during my early years as a teacher, I discovered that I wanted to write. The decision has given me a wonderful new career, and has changed my life forever.
I suppose all writers go through a period where everything they write gets rejected by publishing houses. My beginning years were no different. For four long years, I sat down to write every night, (after teaching fourth graders all day) every weekend, and every vacation. I used a typewriter in those days, but it was always clicking away. I stacked up hundreds of rejection slips. But then one day, I received a letter from an editor who actually wanted to publish my first book - what a thrill! That book is called A THOUSAND PAILS OF WATER. It's a story about a young boy who saves a stranded whale by keeping it wet.
I kept on writing, and over the years I have sold more than 40 books for children and young readers. Eventually I stopped teaching so that I could devote all my time to writing. I miss seeing kids, though, so I make sure that part of my time is spent visiting schools around the country. (My website tells how teachers can arrange for me to visit your school, just click HERE.) I love receiving your mail, so click on WRITE TO RON ROY if you want to send me a letter.
And that brings me to today. I am now writing mysteries for each letter of the alphabet. My series is called A TO Z MYSTERIES, and a new book comes out about every four months. The latest book, THE KIDNAPPED KING, is now available in stores and libraries. You can also order the book from my publisher, Random House, or over the internet from AMAZON.com.
I feel privileged to be a writer of children's books. This job puts me in contact with kids, and allows me to travel around the world. My writing also lets me use my love for words every day. Best of all, I get to meet the kids who also love to read. What more could a man want?
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INTERVIEW
 April 25, 2005
Kidsreads.com contributing writer Shannon McKenna interviewed Ron Roy, whose A TO Z mystery series concludes with THE ZOMBIE ZONE. Roy talks about Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose's final adventure and how he came up with the titles for each book. He also explains why he enjoys writing for children, offers advice to young people who would like to be authors, and discusses his latest writing project, which is sure to delight his many fans.
Kidsreads.com: You've written 26 books in the A TO Z mystery series. How do you feel about saying good-bye to Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose?
Ron Roy: I feel sad, because they seem like my family now. I've been writing about them for more than seven years. But I am not ready to say good-bye to these kids.
KRC: What's in store for the trio in their final adventure, THE ZOMBIE ZONE?
RR: The kids travel to New Orleans, Louisiana and meet a zombie. They also make some new friends and get to see an alligator mom protecting her babies.
KRC: When did you come up with the titles? Was it as you wrote each book, or did you map them out when you began the series?
RR: I chose each title as I went through the alphabet. Usually, by the time I finished a book, I had settled on a title for the next, and so on.
KRC: Do you think kids will be reading the A TO Z mystery series years from now? Are there timeless themes in the books?
RR: I think the mysteries are timeless, and I would hope the books would stand up. My readers are very loyal!
KRC: Is it true your nickname in college was Dink? How did that come about? Why did you decide to name the main character in the series "Dink"?
RR: Yes, one of my nicknames was Dink, an affectionate term for a slightly nerdy guy. I chose it for my main character because of his full name, Donald David Duncan. And because I modeled the character after myself.
KRC: How have readers reacted about the end of the series? Have you received any memorable letters?
RR: I receive super letters from kids and parents every day, via email. Like me, many are sad to see the last book.
KRC: What is your other series, CAPITAL MYSTERIES, about?
RR: CAPITAL MYSTERIES features two new main characters, K.C. Corcoran and her best pal, Marshall Li. In the first book, WHO CLONED THE PRESIDENT?, they meet and become friends with the president of the United States. In the rest of the books, as they solve crimes and mysteries, the president is right there with them.
KRC: Does it appeal to readers who enjoy the A TO Z mysteries? Do the two series share any similarities?
RR: My A TO Z readers tell me they think the CAPITAL MYSTERIES series is great. The grade level is the same, the clues are hard to figure out, and the excitement level is high.
KRC: Are you working on anything right now? And if so, when can readers expect to see it?
RR: Yes, I just completed a totally new book about Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose. It is a bigger book, and the three kids are now a year older than in the A TO Z books. I can't reveal the title yet, but I have a feeling my readers will love it. Lots of mystery and excitement. I believe the book will be out in 2006.
KRC: What do you enjoy most about being an author? How about writing for kids in particular?
RR: I love writing for kids because, at heart, I never quite grew up. I feel like I'm a contemporary of my main characters. Being a writer allows me the time to do lots of other things that I wouldn't be able to do if I had a 9-5 job.
KRC: Before you became a full-time writer, you were a fourth grade teacher. Does having had that classroom experience help you in your writing?
RR: Most definitely. All my years as a teacher taught me many things, such as the kinds of stories kids love. I also learned about many fine writers for kids, and I learned how hard work can lead to wonderful things.
KRC: You say on your website that CHARLOTTE'S WEB was an inspiration to you when you were a child. What other books inspired you as a young reader?
RR: I read everything that contained adventure, but I especially loved the Black Stallion series by Walter Farley.
KRC: What do you say to children who tell you that they want to be an author?
RR: I tell them that I think the writing life is fantastic, and to work hard now, reading and writing. I visit many schools around the country, and I always encourage the kids to stay in school as long as they can, and to read as much as they can. Getting a good education was at the top of my list of priorities, and I think this should be true for everyone.
KRC: When you're not writing books, how do you spend your time?
RR: I do a lot of reading and traveling. I also like to work in my garden at my Connecticut home. During the winter, when I'm at my Florida residence, I like to run on the beach and look at the sea birds and try to find new seashell specimens for my growing collection.
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Write to Author
Send your letters to:
Ron Roy
c/o Random House Children's Books
1745 Broadway, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10019
Or send email to writer@ronroy.com.
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