Press
NBC News (KY3) Interview - June 29, 2012
Steve Grant, anchorman at KY3 News (NBC affiliate in Springfield, Missouri) interviewed Ken Derby (on June 29, 2012) about his upcoming book and literacy work in Turkmenistan.
Write 4 Kids Blog Post (October 14, 2011)
Song and Music Video Promote Unpublished Manuscript
by Laura Backes
How does an author stand out from the crowd while he's shopping his YA horror manuscript to agents? Write a song about the book's protagonist, perform it with a famous hard rock band, get the show posted on YouTube, then make a music video. Ken Derby, author of The Top Ten Ways to Ruin the First Day of Fifth Grade (Holiday House), is an American fifth grade teacher living and working in Budapest. He performed Natasha (named after the title character of his manuscript) with the popular band Superbutt at a Hungarian music festival in July. (Click here to see the official live video.). An official video to be released soon.) The site also contains a book trailer, the manuscript's first two chapters, a video of Ken being interviewed by MTV about his song and manuscript, and his insights into vampires and pop culture. With publishers putting more emphasis on authors' social media platforms and how they'll be able to publicize their books, thinking out of the box like this can only help in getting agents' attention. And every time an author gets innovative, the bar is raised. So what's your big idea?
Song and Music Video Promote Unpublished Manuscript
by Laura Backes
How does an author stand out from the crowd while he's shopping his YA horror manuscript to agents? Write a song about the book's protagonist, perform it with a famous hard rock band, get the show posted on YouTube, then make a music video. Ken Derby, author of The Top Ten Ways to Ruin the First Day of Fifth Grade (Holiday House), is an American fifth grade teacher living and working in Budapest. He performed Natasha (named after the title character of his manuscript) with the popular band Superbutt at a Hungarian music festival in July. (Click here to see the official live video.). An official video to be released soon.) The site also contains a book trailer, the manuscript's first two chapters, a video of Ken being interviewed by MTV about his song and manuscript, and his insights into vampires and pop culture. With publishers putting more emphasis on authors' social media platforms and how they'll be able to publicize their books, thinking out of the box like this can only help in getting agents' attention. And every time an author gets innovative, the bar is raised. So what's your big idea?
Efott Music Festival MTV Interview - July 14, 2011
Ken Derby is interviewed by MTV VJ, Greg Toth at the Efott Music Festival held in Szolnok, Hungary on July 14, 2011.
The Bethel Journal, Bethel, Ohio, USA (November 18, 2010)
Click on the thumbnail (to the left) to read a press release from the Bethel Journal.
Budapest Funzine (Issue: December 21, 2006 – January 10, 2007)
Living In Budapest
by Daniel Freeman
Basic stats
Name: Ken Derby
From: A citizen of the world
Time in Hungary: 16 years
Other countries lived in: Saudi Arabia, U.S.
Job: Elementary school teacher and author
Speak Hungarian? A little – sorry!
First phrase you learned: Nem beszélek Favorite Hungarian food? Jokai bableves
Favorite place to eat? Shiraz Turkish Buffet
What first brought you to Hungary?
I spent five years in the 1980s teaching in Saudi Arabia, and after that ended I went back to the states, but I didn’t find it to my liking. I met the director of American International School at a job fair and was invited out here in 1990.
Did you plan to stay here as long as you have? If not, what kept you?
I thought it would only be for 2 years! Partly the school kept me – it’s a great working environment. Also, there’s something about the city and people, a liveliness under the pessimism. Plus there are a lot of cultural things to do, and a great local rock scene, which I’m very into. I guess there’s just always been an exciting sense of the unknown.
How did your writing career develop?
I always had the skill; I was just too lazy to pursue it. Then about 10 years ago on a suggestion from a friend I wrote a book about the race to the South Pole. My second book, Top Ten Ways to Ruin The First Day of 5th Grade, won a national award in the United States. Since then I’ve produced various manuscripts on all subjects, from the “real” Dracula to the discovery of the tomb of King Tut. Now I’m working on a young adult novel about vampires in Budapest in the present day. Check out www.kenderby.com for more info.
What do you do in your free time?
Well, I like to fish, but only in salt water, so I don’t do that so much around here. I also have a lot of friends in the local rock scene, which is quite good. Check out the band Superbutt and the website www.bprnr.com. When I can, I spend time with my two kids, who grew up here, but are now both pursuing careers in the U.S.
What’s your impression of the expatriates in Budapest?
In the early days it was very small and close-knit. Everybody knew each other. Now because of the nature of the economy, it’s a bit more disjointed and I generally don’t have much to do with it. Most of my friends are Hungarian.
What’s the wackiest hair, dress or other fashion trend you’ve seen here?
There are these open-toed work shoes for women, with elevated heels that lace up to the ankle and are made of cloth. They’re called “kismama vászon”, and they’re hilarious. Look for them!
What’s the worst thing about Hungary?
In Budapest, the dog crap and the air pollution. Also, all the smoke in public places. And customer service is pretty bad. As for Hungary, the winter weather – it just sucks! On the positive side though, Hungary has per capita more beautiful women than many other countries. And I just married the most beautiful one!
Quick hits:
Buda or Pest? Buda to live, Pest to play
Hotter hot spot: Radáy utca or Liszt Ferenc tér? Kultiplex!
Unicum or Palinka? Czech beer
Hungarians: Hot or Not? Women, hot. Men, not.
Living In Budapest
by Daniel Freeman
Basic stats
Name: Ken Derby
From: A citizen of the world
Time in Hungary: 16 years
Other countries lived in: Saudi Arabia, U.S.
Job: Elementary school teacher and author
Speak Hungarian? A little – sorry!
First phrase you learned: Nem beszélek Favorite Hungarian food? Jokai bableves
Favorite place to eat? Shiraz Turkish Buffet
What first brought you to Hungary?
I spent five years in the 1980s teaching in Saudi Arabia, and after that ended I went back to the states, but I didn’t find it to my liking. I met the director of American International School at a job fair and was invited out here in 1990.
Did you plan to stay here as long as you have? If not, what kept you?
I thought it would only be for 2 years! Partly the school kept me – it’s a great working environment. Also, there’s something about the city and people, a liveliness under the pessimism. Plus there are a lot of cultural things to do, and a great local rock scene, which I’m very into. I guess there’s just always been an exciting sense of the unknown.
How did your writing career develop?
I always had the skill; I was just too lazy to pursue it. Then about 10 years ago on a suggestion from a friend I wrote a book about the race to the South Pole. My second book, Top Ten Ways to Ruin The First Day of 5th Grade, won a national award in the United States. Since then I’ve produced various manuscripts on all subjects, from the “real” Dracula to the discovery of the tomb of King Tut. Now I’m working on a young adult novel about vampires in Budapest in the present day. Check out www.kenderby.com for more info.
What do you do in your free time?
Well, I like to fish, but only in salt water, so I don’t do that so much around here. I also have a lot of friends in the local rock scene, which is quite good. Check out the band Superbutt and the website www.bprnr.com. When I can, I spend time with my two kids, who grew up here, but are now both pursuing careers in the U.S.
What’s your impression of the expatriates in Budapest?
In the early days it was very small and close-knit. Everybody knew each other. Now because of the nature of the economy, it’s a bit more disjointed and I generally don’t have much to do with it. Most of my friends are Hungarian.
What’s the wackiest hair, dress or other fashion trend you’ve seen here?
There are these open-toed work shoes for women, with elevated heels that lace up to the ankle and are made of cloth. They’re called “kismama vászon”, and they’re hilarious. Look for them!
What’s the worst thing about Hungary?
In Budapest, the dog crap and the air pollution. Also, all the smoke in public places. And customer service is pretty bad. As for Hungary, the winter weather – it just sucks! On the positive side though, Hungary has per capita more beautiful women than many other countries. And I just married the most beautiful one!
Quick hits:
Buda or Pest? Buda to live, Pest to play
Hotter hot spot: Radáy utca or Liszt Ferenc tér? Kultiplex!
Unicum or Palinka? Czech beer
Hungarians: Hot or Not? Women, hot. Men, not.
Special Report: Persistence and Passion Helps New Author Beat the Odds from "The Children's Book Insider" - July 2005 Edition
At first glance, the photos on Ken Derby’s web site do not imply “children’s book author.” In fact, rock star or professional fisherman (two of Derby’s childhood dreams), seem closer to the truth. From high school through graduate school, Derby was encouraged by his teachers to pursue writing, but he ignored them. Then in 1996, Derby was teaching fourth grade at the American International School in Budapest, Hungary (a job he still holds), and working with a college on integrating literature into a unit on Antarctica. “We could not locate a single children’s novel that was set in Antarctica; many were set in the Arctic, but none in Antarctica,” said Derby. “So my colleague jokingly suggested that I write one (he had no idea that I was an “uninspired writer”). I thought, “Why not?” So I did extensive research and spent twelve months writing a historical fiction story called The Ghost Memoirs of Robert Falcon Scott. I submitted it to many houses and received many rejections. Finally, the miracle occurred, and it was published (by a small press in New York State) in 1999. It has been a huge success . . . I think I’ve received $20 in royalties over the years.”
Meanwhile, in 1996 Derby visited New York with his two children. His eight-year-old son wanted to attend the Late Show With David Letterman, but couldn’t because audience members have to be older. “We discussed that the only way he could see the Late Show at a young age was to be invited to be a guest on the show,” Derby said. “We also discussed the improbability of this because my son wasn’t famous or hadn’t done anything out-of-the-ordinary to be 'worthy' of being invited as a guest on the Late Show. He accepted this fact of life, but didn’t like it. A few days after our discussion he came to me and suggested that I write a story about a kid that would do anything to be invited to be a guest on the Late Show, and bingo . . . a story was born.”
While the birth of The Top 10 Ways to Ruin The First Day of 5th Grade may have been painless, it took eight years of revisions, rejections and finding an agent to finally sell the middle grade novel to Holiday House. Since its publication last fall, Top 10 has been named a Children’s Choice 2005 selection by the International Reading Council, and Scholastic has bought the trade paperback and school book club rights. School Library Journal had this to say: “Humorous and lighthearted with a feisty and zany main character, this book will be enjoyed by readers who like off-beat plots and nonstop wacky action.”
Recently, Derby spoke with the Children’s Book Insider (CBI) on breaking the rules, writing what you want, and never giving up.
CBI: Authors who live outside the country often worry about getting the attention of a US publisher. How did you make a sale from Budapest?
DERBY: I’m not so sure that where an author lives matters much these days because of technology. For the most part, I submitted just as anyone else submits--via snail mail. And the truth is that if a story is worth publishing, then it will be published regardless of where an author lives. This book wasn’t published because of networking and contacts--because I had none at the time--it was published because it fell into the right editor’s hand at the right time. I queried many agents over the years, and submitted manuscripts when asked, but I always came up empty-handed. Then finally my story ended up on the desk of the right agent at the right time, and now I’m represented by George Nicholson of Sterling Lord Literistic (he and I are a great match, by the way). I simply never quit believing in The Top 10 Ways To Ruin The First Day of 5th Grade, and I kept trying to get my foot into someone’s door . . . anyone’s door!
CBI: You have a lot of pop references in your book, including David Letterman. Did you get permission to use his name, and did the lawyers at Holiday House worry about this?
DERBY: I was concerned about the legal aspects of this when I first wrote the story. So I contacted Chris Crutcher to see if he had obtained Larry King’s permission to use his name in Ironman. Chris told me that he didn’t receive permission and he told me to go for it with David Letterman. So I went for it, without David Letterman’s permission. The Holiday House lawyers were not concerned about it because I didn’t defame Letterman. Letterman is a public figure, and he is “fair game.” I was also advised that publishers would be leery of the story because “pop cultural” references--like MTV, the Late Show, Madonna, Bruce Willis, etc.--are frowned upon in children’s books. But I wrote the story for my son and ultimately for other children, not for stuffy adults.
CBI: This plot speeds along, and the dialogue is funny and quick. How much of this did you have before the book was edited by Holiday House? Do you have any tips for pacing or creating believable dialogue?
DERBY: I had most of the dialogue in place before the story was edited by Holiday House. However, I must give credit to Regina Griffin and Suzanne Nelson; the story improved because of their input. I will say that initially I was worried about the editing and revision process as suggested by my editors. It was nothing to be worried about. Yes, it was hard work, but it was amazing how much the story improved because of my amazing editors. Tips? That is a tough question. I’m with kids all day long, and I am one of them much of the time, so their dialogue is natural to me. I have no secret for pacing. My instinct tells me whether or not something works. I revise what I wrote the day before, and during this process I often spot things that don’t work. So I delete them if they totally suck. If they mildly suck, then I revise them. I don’t write from an outline either. I know the beginning and the end of the story before I start, but I don’t know what happens in between. It just comes to me as I write. Great author role model, huh?
CBI: Tony Baloney’s a great character, and very likable, but he’s not exactly a role model for good behavior. He even got a tattoo during the book. Do you worry you’ll get flack from parents and teachers?
DERBY: Do you really think that a guy that has tattoos, earrings, and sports a shaved head is concerned about flack from parents and teachers? I don’t look like a stereotypical grade four teacher; I look like a Mafia thug. So the question is irrelevant to me. Once again, I’m not writing for parents and teachers. I’m writing for kids. A lot of stuffy adults are going to be critical because Tony doesn’t make a positive life change by the end of the story. He’s still the same mischievous kid that he was at the beginning and the rebel in me gets subtle pleasure knowing that conservatives will probably get their hackles up because I broke unwritten rules in children’s literature.
CBI: As a teacher, did you read the manuscript to your class? How much influence did your students have on this story?
DERBY: Yes, I read the story to my class over the years. When they laughed, or talked about scenes extensively, I knew that that part of the story worked. However, if there was dead silence and fidgeting during a particular scene, I knew it was time to revise. Interestingly enough, the story has been read to international kids around the world that have never even heard of David Letterman. This lack of knowledge didn’t make a difference. They still loved the story. A good story is a good story. It is as simple as that.
CBI: What did you learn during this experience that will change how you write, submit or market your next book?
DERBY: I think it's fruitless to try to time markets because the publishing process is so slow and trends come and go. Currently I’m working on a young adult (maybe even adult) vampire/murder/prison/international school story. My inspiration? My 23-year-old daughter. She loves horror stories and I promised I’d write one for her someday. I don’t worry about submission issues because that's my agent’s responsibility. As far as marketing goes, I simply don’t have time to concentrate on marketing. And I’m not sure what I can do from Budapest anyway. But I do have a web site, and it gets hits from around the world, so I suppose this is my main avenue of marketing. One thing that did surprise me is that the Late Show is not interested in The Top 10 Ways to Ruin The First Day of 5th Grade Almost everyone that read this story was convinced that the Late Show would jump all over it shortly after publication. The last time I talked to the Late Show they told me that since they are an “adult” show they would only feature a children’s book if a celebrity had written it. But Letterman often has kids on his show, so I don’t buy the “adult” excuse. Surely a guy with tattoos, earrings, and a shaved head can find a way into the Late Show camp.
CBI: Any advice for aspiring authors?
DERBY: First, write whenever you can. Don’t chastise yourself if you can’t write every day. The writing gurus that claim that you must write every day to be a successful writer must not live in the real world of jobs, parenting, etc. There is only so much time in a day. I teach, I’m a single parent, and I’d like to have a personal life as well. So if I don’t get to my story for several days (or even months in some cases), I don’t care. Terry Spencer-Hesser, a dear author friend of mine, once told me: “Writers often forget that they have to live life to write about it.” Second, never give up if you truly believe in your story. Third, revision is a good thing--even if it is painful. My favorite line is no longer in The Top 10 Ways to Ruin The First Day of 5th Grade. Tony is gazing at the Empire State Building and says: “How in the ‘H-E-Double Toothpick’ did King Kong climb up that baby?” I loved that line so much. But my editor asked me to take it out. She didn’t have a problem with it, but she said that it could possibly limit sales with conservatives. So I cut it. Fourth, most rules are meant to be bent or sometimes broken, so don’t be afraid to break the unwritten rules of children’s literature. And finally, on occasion drink beer and go to a rock concert or drink green tea and take a hike in a serene forest or go fishing in your grandfather’s farm pond--and leave your computer and story behind.
---by Laura Backes, Text copyright © 2005
Children's Book Insider, LLC, 901 Columbia Road, Ft. Collins, CO 80525-1838
***reprinted with permission**
At first glance, the photos on Ken Derby’s web site do not imply “children’s book author.” In fact, rock star or professional fisherman (two of Derby’s childhood dreams), seem closer to the truth. From high school through graduate school, Derby was encouraged by his teachers to pursue writing, but he ignored them. Then in 1996, Derby was teaching fourth grade at the American International School in Budapest, Hungary (a job he still holds), and working with a college on integrating literature into a unit on Antarctica. “We could not locate a single children’s novel that was set in Antarctica; many were set in the Arctic, but none in Antarctica,” said Derby. “So my colleague jokingly suggested that I write one (he had no idea that I was an “uninspired writer”). I thought, “Why not?” So I did extensive research and spent twelve months writing a historical fiction story called The Ghost Memoirs of Robert Falcon Scott. I submitted it to many houses and received many rejections. Finally, the miracle occurred, and it was published (by a small press in New York State) in 1999. It has been a huge success . . . I think I’ve received $20 in royalties over the years.”
Meanwhile, in 1996 Derby visited New York with his two children. His eight-year-old son wanted to attend the Late Show With David Letterman, but couldn’t because audience members have to be older. “We discussed that the only way he could see the Late Show at a young age was to be invited to be a guest on the show,” Derby said. “We also discussed the improbability of this because my son wasn’t famous or hadn’t done anything out-of-the-ordinary to be 'worthy' of being invited as a guest on the Late Show. He accepted this fact of life, but didn’t like it. A few days after our discussion he came to me and suggested that I write a story about a kid that would do anything to be invited to be a guest on the Late Show, and bingo . . . a story was born.”
While the birth of The Top 10 Ways to Ruin The First Day of 5th Grade may have been painless, it took eight years of revisions, rejections and finding an agent to finally sell the middle grade novel to Holiday House. Since its publication last fall, Top 10 has been named a Children’s Choice 2005 selection by the International Reading Council, and Scholastic has bought the trade paperback and school book club rights. School Library Journal had this to say: “Humorous and lighthearted with a feisty and zany main character, this book will be enjoyed by readers who like off-beat plots and nonstop wacky action.”
Recently, Derby spoke with the Children’s Book Insider (CBI) on breaking the rules, writing what you want, and never giving up.
CBI: Authors who live outside the country often worry about getting the attention of a US publisher. How did you make a sale from Budapest?
DERBY: I’m not so sure that where an author lives matters much these days because of technology. For the most part, I submitted just as anyone else submits--via snail mail. And the truth is that if a story is worth publishing, then it will be published regardless of where an author lives. This book wasn’t published because of networking and contacts--because I had none at the time--it was published because it fell into the right editor’s hand at the right time. I queried many agents over the years, and submitted manuscripts when asked, but I always came up empty-handed. Then finally my story ended up on the desk of the right agent at the right time, and now I’m represented by George Nicholson of Sterling Lord Literistic (he and I are a great match, by the way). I simply never quit believing in The Top 10 Ways To Ruin The First Day of 5th Grade, and I kept trying to get my foot into someone’s door . . . anyone’s door!
CBI: You have a lot of pop references in your book, including David Letterman. Did you get permission to use his name, and did the lawyers at Holiday House worry about this?
DERBY: I was concerned about the legal aspects of this when I first wrote the story. So I contacted Chris Crutcher to see if he had obtained Larry King’s permission to use his name in Ironman. Chris told me that he didn’t receive permission and he told me to go for it with David Letterman. So I went for it, without David Letterman’s permission. The Holiday House lawyers were not concerned about it because I didn’t defame Letterman. Letterman is a public figure, and he is “fair game.” I was also advised that publishers would be leery of the story because “pop cultural” references--like MTV, the Late Show, Madonna, Bruce Willis, etc.--are frowned upon in children’s books. But I wrote the story for my son and ultimately for other children, not for stuffy adults.
CBI: This plot speeds along, and the dialogue is funny and quick. How much of this did you have before the book was edited by Holiday House? Do you have any tips for pacing or creating believable dialogue?
DERBY: I had most of the dialogue in place before the story was edited by Holiday House. However, I must give credit to Regina Griffin and Suzanne Nelson; the story improved because of their input. I will say that initially I was worried about the editing and revision process as suggested by my editors. It was nothing to be worried about. Yes, it was hard work, but it was amazing how much the story improved because of my amazing editors. Tips? That is a tough question. I’m with kids all day long, and I am one of them much of the time, so their dialogue is natural to me. I have no secret for pacing. My instinct tells me whether or not something works. I revise what I wrote the day before, and during this process I often spot things that don’t work. So I delete them if they totally suck. If they mildly suck, then I revise them. I don’t write from an outline either. I know the beginning and the end of the story before I start, but I don’t know what happens in between. It just comes to me as I write. Great author role model, huh?
CBI: Tony Baloney’s a great character, and very likable, but he’s not exactly a role model for good behavior. He even got a tattoo during the book. Do you worry you’ll get flack from parents and teachers?
DERBY: Do you really think that a guy that has tattoos, earrings, and sports a shaved head is concerned about flack from parents and teachers? I don’t look like a stereotypical grade four teacher; I look like a Mafia thug. So the question is irrelevant to me. Once again, I’m not writing for parents and teachers. I’m writing for kids. A lot of stuffy adults are going to be critical because Tony doesn’t make a positive life change by the end of the story. He’s still the same mischievous kid that he was at the beginning and the rebel in me gets subtle pleasure knowing that conservatives will probably get their hackles up because I broke unwritten rules in children’s literature.
CBI: As a teacher, did you read the manuscript to your class? How much influence did your students have on this story?
DERBY: Yes, I read the story to my class over the years. When they laughed, or talked about scenes extensively, I knew that that part of the story worked. However, if there was dead silence and fidgeting during a particular scene, I knew it was time to revise. Interestingly enough, the story has been read to international kids around the world that have never even heard of David Letterman. This lack of knowledge didn’t make a difference. They still loved the story. A good story is a good story. It is as simple as that.
CBI: What did you learn during this experience that will change how you write, submit or market your next book?
DERBY: I think it's fruitless to try to time markets because the publishing process is so slow and trends come and go. Currently I’m working on a young adult (maybe even adult) vampire/murder/prison/international school story. My inspiration? My 23-year-old daughter. She loves horror stories and I promised I’d write one for her someday. I don’t worry about submission issues because that's my agent’s responsibility. As far as marketing goes, I simply don’t have time to concentrate on marketing. And I’m not sure what I can do from Budapest anyway. But I do have a web site, and it gets hits from around the world, so I suppose this is my main avenue of marketing. One thing that did surprise me is that the Late Show is not interested in The Top 10 Ways to Ruin The First Day of 5th Grade Almost everyone that read this story was convinced that the Late Show would jump all over it shortly after publication. The last time I talked to the Late Show they told me that since they are an “adult” show they would only feature a children’s book if a celebrity had written it. But Letterman often has kids on his show, so I don’t buy the “adult” excuse. Surely a guy with tattoos, earrings, and a shaved head can find a way into the Late Show camp.
CBI: Any advice for aspiring authors?
DERBY: First, write whenever you can. Don’t chastise yourself if you can’t write every day. The writing gurus that claim that you must write every day to be a successful writer must not live in the real world of jobs, parenting, etc. There is only so much time in a day. I teach, I’m a single parent, and I’d like to have a personal life as well. So if I don’t get to my story for several days (or even months in some cases), I don’t care. Terry Spencer-Hesser, a dear author friend of mine, once told me: “Writers often forget that they have to live life to write about it.” Second, never give up if you truly believe in your story. Third, revision is a good thing--even if it is painful. My favorite line is no longer in The Top 10 Ways to Ruin The First Day of 5th Grade. Tony is gazing at the Empire State Building and says: “How in the ‘H-E-Double Toothpick’ did King Kong climb up that baby?” I loved that line so much. But my editor asked me to take it out. She didn’t have a problem with it, but she said that it could possibly limit sales with conservatives. So I cut it. Fourth, most rules are meant to be bent or sometimes broken, so don’t be afraid to break the unwritten rules of children’s literature. And finally, on occasion drink beer and go to a rock concert or drink green tea and take a hike in a serene forest or go fishing in your grandfather’s farm pond--and leave your computer and story behind.
---by Laura Backes, Text copyright © 2005
Children's Book Insider, LLC, 901 Columbia Road, Ft. Collins, CO 80525-1838
***reprinted with permission**
Drury Lane: a publication of Drury University
Winter 2005 Edition
Alumni Profile: Ken Derby '83 M.Ed.
What would you do if you were a fifth grader desperate to meet David Letterman? How could a young kid manage to snag Mr. Letterman’s attention and receive an invitation to be a guest on The Late Show? What kind of crazy hijinx would ensue?
These are the types of questions that fueled the creative powers of Drury alumnus and children’s book writer Kenneth Derby. His newest novel, The Top Ten Ways to Ruin the First Day of Fifth Grade, was released in October 2004 and tells the story of Tony Baloney, a fifth grader from Kansas City who will do just about anything to make an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman.
Born and raised in Colorado, Ken graduated from Drury in 1983 with a master’s in education. He taught second grade for several years in Bolivar, Mo., and then went on to instruct students at the Saudi Arabian International School in Riyadh. “I believe the progressive nature of the education program [at Drury] led me to be a progressive teacher who is willing to take risks and make changes in my personal educational practices in my classroom,” says Ken.
Ken currently teaches a class of fourth graders at the American International School of Budapest. He enjoys teaching abroad because it offers him the opportunity to experience an entirely different country and culture. He has taught in Hungary for the last 14 years, and his class this year includes children from ten different countries. “As you can imagine, this makes for a very rich, diverse, and rewarding atmosphere,” says Ken.
Ken has always had an interest in writing. He has published several essays in international newspapers and magazines throughout the years. In addition, he has presented his work at a number of educational conferences around the world. It wasn’t until about 10 years ago, however, that he considered writing books. His first children’s novel, The Ghost Memoirs of Robert Falcon Scott, was released in 1999.
It was from his own son that Ken drew the inspiration for his second novel. He and his two children had been planning a visit to New York City when Ken asked them what they wanted to do during the trip. His son, who was 8 years old at the time, badly wanted to attend The Late Show with David Letterman.
“I explained that he was too young to go watch The Late Show because there was an age restriction,” recalls Ken. “My son didn’t like this and complained about it for several days.” Ken explained to his son that the only way to see the show at such a young age was to be invited as a guest.
“A few days after our discussion he came to me and suggested that I write a story about a kid that would do anything to be invited to be a guest on The Late Show… and BINGO… a story was born.”
Ken plans to continue teaching but would like to write full-time someday. “I have a special connection with children,” says Ken. “It’s hard to explain. It is simply a matter of the ‘soul.’ I wish to make a difference in their lives and guide them in their quest to step out and take intelligent risks in life and ultimately teach themselves.”
– Jamie Miller ’06, Development and Alumni Relations
***Reprinted With Permission***
Winter 2005 Edition
Alumni Profile: Ken Derby '83 M.Ed.
What would you do if you were a fifth grader desperate to meet David Letterman? How could a young kid manage to snag Mr. Letterman’s attention and receive an invitation to be a guest on The Late Show? What kind of crazy hijinx would ensue?
These are the types of questions that fueled the creative powers of Drury alumnus and children’s book writer Kenneth Derby. His newest novel, The Top Ten Ways to Ruin the First Day of Fifth Grade, was released in October 2004 and tells the story of Tony Baloney, a fifth grader from Kansas City who will do just about anything to make an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman.
Born and raised in Colorado, Ken graduated from Drury in 1983 with a master’s in education. He taught second grade for several years in Bolivar, Mo., and then went on to instruct students at the Saudi Arabian International School in Riyadh. “I believe the progressive nature of the education program [at Drury] led me to be a progressive teacher who is willing to take risks and make changes in my personal educational practices in my classroom,” says Ken.
Ken currently teaches a class of fourth graders at the American International School of Budapest. He enjoys teaching abroad because it offers him the opportunity to experience an entirely different country and culture. He has taught in Hungary for the last 14 years, and his class this year includes children from ten different countries. “As you can imagine, this makes for a very rich, diverse, and rewarding atmosphere,” says Ken.
Ken has always had an interest in writing. He has published several essays in international newspapers and magazines throughout the years. In addition, he has presented his work at a number of educational conferences around the world. It wasn’t until about 10 years ago, however, that he considered writing books. His first children’s novel, The Ghost Memoirs of Robert Falcon Scott, was released in 1999.
It was from his own son that Ken drew the inspiration for his second novel. He and his two children had been planning a visit to New York City when Ken asked them what they wanted to do during the trip. His son, who was 8 years old at the time, badly wanted to attend The Late Show with David Letterman.
“I explained that he was too young to go watch The Late Show because there was an age restriction,” recalls Ken. “My son didn’t like this and complained about it for several days.” Ken explained to his son that the only way to see the show at such a young age was to be invited as a guest.
“A few days after our discussion he came to me and suggested that I write a story about a kid that would do anything to be invited to be a guest on The Late Show… and BINGO… a story was born.”
Ken plans to continue teaching but would like to write full-time someday. “I have a special connection with children,” says Ken. “It’s hard to explain. It is simply a matter of the ‘soul.’ I wish to make a difference in their lives and guide them in their quest to step out and take intelligent risks in life and ultimately teach themselves.”
– Jamie Miller ’06, Development and Alumni Relations
***Reprinted With Permission***
Writester.net (This is no longer an active link.)
Interview With Author - Ken Derby
Filed under: Interview With Authors; Susan Hilliard Fusiars; Sunday, May 8, 2005
Questions:
Q: Where are you originally from?
A: I grew up in Denver, Colorado. However, I have lived abroad for the last twenty years. I lived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 1984-1989. I currently live in Budapest, Hungary. I’ve lived here since 1990.
Q: Can you tell us your latest book news?
A: My middle grade children’s novel, The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of 5th Grade is a “Children’s Choice 2005” selection by the International Reading Association and the Children’s Book Council. The hardcover version was published by Holiday House in October of 2004 and Scholastic will publish the trade paperback version and the school fair and book club version in September of 2005.
Q: How old were you when you first started writing?
A: I suppose that I made my first scribble when I was three or four months old.
Q: When did you first realize you had the potential to be a writer?
A: My high school creative writing teacher recognized that I had writing talent and she encouraged me to taking writing more seriously. I ignored her and focused on more important things - like girls.
Q: What was your inspiration to write your first novel?
A: My teaching colleague jokingly suggested that I write a novel set in Antarctica (he had no idea that I was an “uninspired writer”). I thought about his suggestion and thought: “Why not?” So I did extensive research and spent twelve months writing a middle grade historical fiction story called The Ghost Memoirs of Robert Falcon Scott.
Q: Is there anyone or anything that inspired you to write?
A: No . . . I started writing for the hell of it, as I mentioned above.
Q: How has your environment/upbringing colored your writing?
A: This is an impossible question to specifically answer. Every moment and experience in life has the potential to color an author’s writing.
Q: Do you have a specific writing style?
A: Yeah, I copy Louis Sachar. Okay. Not really. I have no idea if I have a specific writing style. Ask my readers this question. They would have a better idea.
Q: What genre are you most comfortable writing?
A: I’ll try any genre . . . except poetry. Poetry puts me to sleep within seconds.
Q: How do you come up with the title(s) for your book(s)?
A: Little voices in my head tell me the titles to my books.
Q: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
A: In The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of 5th Grade the message is simple: enjoy life as one sees fit.
Q: How much of the novel is realistic?
A: As much as the reader wishes it to be realistic.
Q: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your life?
A: My son was the inspiration for The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of 5th Grade.
Q: What books have most influenced your life?
A: The New Psycho-Cybernetics and The Tao of Pooh.
Q: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
A: I don’t have a mentor, but if I could choose a mentor I would split my time with three writers: Stephen King, Chris Crutcher, and Louis Sachar.
Q: What are you reading now?
A: Brain Droppings by George Carlin, Yoga by Shakta Kaur Khalsa, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, and The Anatomist by Federico Andahazi
Q: What new author has grasped your interest?
A: Gail Giles. Her first young adult novel, Shattering Glass, is an extraordinary, dark novel about emotional and psychological competition between high school students.
Q: Is there anything additional you would like to share with your readers?
A: Yeah, live like Winnie-the-Pooh and don’t take the “rat race” too seriously.
***Reprinted With Permission***
Interview With Author - Ken Derby
Filed under: Interview With Authors; Susan Hilliard Fusiars; Sunday, May 8, 2005
Questions:
Q: Where are you originally from?
A: I grew up in Denver, Colorado. However, I have lived abroad for the last twenty years. I lived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 1984-1989. I currently live in Budapest, Hungary. I’ve lived here since 1990.
Q: Can you tell us your latest book news?
A: My middle grade children’s novel, The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of 5th Grade is a “Children’s Choice 2005” selection by the International Reading Association and the Children’s Book Council. The hardcover version was published by Holiday House in October of 2004 and Scholastic will publish the trade paperback version and the school fair and book club version in September of 2005.
Q: How old were you when you first started writing?
A: I suppose that I made my first scribble when I was three or four months old.
Q: When did you first realize you had the potential to be a writer?
A: My high school creative writing teacher recognized that I had writing talent and she encouraged me to taking writing more seriously. I ignored her and focused on more important things - like girls.
Q: What was your inspiration to write your first novel?
A: My teaching colleague jokingly suggested that I write a novel set in Antarctica (he had no idea that I was an “uninspired writer”). I thought about his suggestion and thought: “Why not?” So I did extensive research and spent twelve months writing a middle grade historical fiction story called The Ghost Memoirs of Robert Falcon Scott.
Q: Is there anyone or anything that inspired you to write?
A: No . . . I started writing for the hell of it, as I mentioned above.
Q: How has your environment/upbringing colored your writing?
A: This is an impossible question to specifically answer. Every moment and experience in life has the potential to color an author’s writing.
Q: Do you have a specific writing style?
A: Yeah, I copy Louis Sachar. Okay. Not really. I have no idea if I have a specific writing style. Ask my readers this question. They would have a better idea.
Q: What genre are you most comfortable writing?
A: I’ll try any genre . . . except poetry. Poetry puts me to sleep within seconds.
Q: How do you come up with the title(s) for your book(s)?
A: Little voices in my head tell me the titles to my books.
Q: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
A: In The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of 5th Grade the message is simple: enjoy life as one sees fit.
Q: How much of the novel is realistic?
A: As much as the reader wishes it to be realistic.
Q: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your life?
A: My son was the inspiration for The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of 5th Grade.
Q: What books have most influenced your life?
A: The New Psycho-Cybernetics and The Tao of Pooh.
Q: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
A: I don’t have a mentor, but if I could choose a mentor I would split my time with three writers: Stephen King, Chris Crutcher, and Louis Sachar.
Q: What are you reading now?
A: Brain Droppings by George Carlin, Yoga by Shakta Kaur Khalsa, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, and The Anatomist by Federico Andahazi
Q: What new author has grasped your interest?
A: Gail Giles. Her first young adult novel, Shattering Glass, is an extraordinary, dark novel about emotional and psychological competition between high school students.
Q: Is there anything additional you would like to share with your readers?
A: Yeah, live like Winnie-the-Pooh and don’t take the “rat race” too seriously.
***Reprinted With Permission***