For
nearly 60 years
Donald Murray was a tireless explorer, chronicler, and advocate of writers, writing, and the teaching of writing. “We are coaches, encouragers, developers, creators of environments in which our students can experience the writing process for themselves,” he wrote in 1972. Through the years and over numerous books, academic articles, newspaper columns, classroom handouts, writing conferences, and warm collegial conversations, thousands of students, writers, and teachers benefited from Don’s work. Millions more continue to benefit by the wide circle of his influence over the fields of writing, writing instruction, journalism. Some of Don’s most important insights about writing and teaching writing are collected in the Heinemann’s
The Essential Don Murray (edited by Thomas Newkirk and Lisa Miller).
A Pulitzer-prize winning journalist, Don was a columnist for The Boston Globe and Professor of English at the University of New Hampshire. He was also a writing coach for several national newspapers, wrote poetry for many journals, including Poetry, and authored several books on the craft of writing and teaching writing, including Learning by Teaching, Expecting the Unexpected, Shoptalk, and Crafting a Life in Essay, Story, Poem, and Writing to Deadline.
Read article on seacoastonline.com featuring Don Murray »
Ralph Fletcher has been a mentor to teachers and young writers everywhere. He has helped hundreds of thousands of teachers understand the importance of letting go and trusting their writers. Ralph's professional books are part of this tradition.
His newest book, Focus Lessons, helps teachers use the natural links between writing and photography to enhance their instruction. Another recent title, Joy Write, explores the value of giving students time and autonomy for the playful, low-stakes writing that leads to surprising, high-level growth.
Ralph frequently works with young writers in schools, and speaks at education conferences in the U.S. and abroad, helping teachers find wiser ways of teaching writing. Ralph is the beloved author of many bestselling teacher professional books and resources including:
- Writing Workshop: The Essential Guide
- What a Writer Needs, Second Edition
- Mentor Author, Mentor Texts
- Craft Lessons
- Breathing In, Breathing Out
- Teaching the Qualities of Writing
- Lessons for the Writer's Notebook
Students know Ralph as the award-winning author of more than 20 books for children and young adults, including Fig Pudding, Twilight Comes Twice, The Writer’s Notebook, Marshfield Dreams: When I Was a Kid, and most recently Marshfield Memories: More Stories About Growing Up.
Ralph Fletcher online
» Listen to a recent Heinemann podcast where Ralph talks about Joy Write (17:31).
» Read Ralph's latest thoughts at his blog: Living the Writing Life.
» Listen to an interview with Ralph on Education Talk Radio (38:29).
» Follow Ralph on Twitter @FletcherRalph.
