"The Time-for-Bed Angel" is a humorous bedtime story about a guardian angel assigned to watch over a rambunctious, bedtime-avoidant boy. The publisher of the book is Lion-Hudson, the United Kingdom's largest independent publisher of inspirational books.
Ronica Stromberg also has a published middle school mystery and three teen novels under contract with Royal Fireworks Press, the United States' largest publisher of fiction for gifted and talented children.
In the mystery novel, "The Glass Inheritance," 12-year-old Samantha discovers her grandmother's hidden past while uncovering an inheritance of Depression Era glassware. Schools use the book alongside their history curriculum to educate children about the Depression Era and World War II.
"The Glass Inheritance" is available for purchase from Amazon.com or from most bookstores with the ISBN (0-88092-5434). For an autographed copy, send an
e-mail to the author at ronicawrites (at) yahoo.com.
AUTHOR VISITS
Ronica Stromberg visits schools, bookstores, libraries, and writers' conferences or workshops. She enjoys serving on panels of writers, taking part in question-and-answer sessions, and speaking and reading to individual classrooms (not school assemblies).
At schools, she typically speaks about how she became an author and what being an author involves. She then opens the floor so children can ask the questions they're most interested in finding answers to.
She can also speak or teach on the following topics, if notified in advance:
"Fiction Fundamentals"
"Becoming a Grammar Guru: Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes" (most appropriate for high school students)
"Writing Compelling Mysteries"
"What's So Funny About Humor Writing?"
Ronica charges a daily fee plus expenses (meals, transportation, and hotel, if an overnight stay is necessary). Expenses are typically reduced for bookings in her hometown area (southeast Iowa); Des Moines, Iowa; Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska; and Kansas City.
To book a visit from Ronica Stromberg, you may e-mail her at ronicawrites (at) yahoo.com.
WRITING AWARDS
Ronica Stromberg won second place in the fiction category of the Evangelical Press Association's 2005 Awards of Excellence Contest. Ronica's short story, "A Real Steal?" was published in Campus Life magazine. (The EPA is the press organization of Christian magazines and newspapers.)
Ronica has also won two journalism awards, an advertising slogan contest sponsored by Procter & Gamble, and a humor writing contest.
SELECTED RECENT PUBLICATIONS (as of May 2008)
Novels:
"The Time-for-Bed Angel," Lion-Hudson, 2008.
"Living It Up to Live It Down," Royal Fireworks Press, due out 2008.
"A Shadow in the Dark," Royal Fireworks Press, due out 2008.
"Wrappers," Royal Fireworks Press, due out 2008.
"The Glass Inheritance," Royal Fireworks Press, November 2001.
Anthologies:
"Christmas Traditions," The Rocking Chair Reader, due out 2009.
"Adventures in Mothering," produced for MOPS by Baker/Revell, due out 2008.
"Along the Way for Teens," Jordan House, 2007.
"A Cup of Comfort Book of Prayer," Adams Media, 2007.
"His Forever," Adams Media, 2006.
"Encounters With God 2,"
Standard Publishing, 2006.
And stories in 10 other anthologies--published by Health Communications ("Chicken Soup for the Teen Soul on Love and Friendship"), Broadman & Holman, Tyndale House, and Starburst Publishers.
Short Stories:
"The Kid Who Stole My Dog,"
Clubhouse, due out 2009.
"The May Day Mystery," Sparkle!, Spring 2006, pp. 4-5.
"Terror on the Mountain," Clubhouse, February 2006, pp. 14-16.
Articles:
"Cool to Be Kind," Encounter, due out Fall 2008.
"Have a Doughnut!" Insight, due out September 2008.
"Awesome God," Live, due out October 2008.
"Two Tacos and Hold the Faith, Please," Encounter, December 2007.
"Wearing His Faith," Insight, Sept. 2, 2006, pp. 6-7.
"T-shirts for Jesus," Encounter, Nov. 5, 2006, pp. 6-7.
And 100+ short stories and articles in other magazines and newspapers such as Grit, Today's Christian Woman, Decision (Billy Graham's magazine), Today's Christian, Lutheran Witness, Focus on the Family's Discovery Years and Clubhouse Jr., Credo, Campus Life, Teenage Christian, Today's Christian Teen, On the Line, Story Friends, The Conqueror, Sparkle!, Youth Compass, The Upper Room, and Cross & Quill.
WORK EXPERIENCE
From September 1995 to present, Ronica has worked as a freelance copy editor (for newspapers and corporations) and as a writer.
Before going freelance, she worked for four years as the in-house editor at a corporation that did consulting work for the U.S. Department of Education, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and other educational agencies. In that job, she edited books, workshop materials, contract proposals, and federal and state educational reports. She also wrote reviews of science articles and of books for junior high and high school youths. She wrote press releases, produced the company newsletter, and handled requests for permission to use copyrighted materials. She also did presentations on grammar for the staff.
In the two years prior to that, she worked as a marketing assistant for the State of Iowa, serving as copy editor for the department's two newsletters, coordinating trade shows, and assisting with promotional events.
Ronica has also worked as a newsletter writer for the Iowa Commission on Children, Youth and Families and, as a college junior, was selected from the top 5 percent of her class to serve as a research assistant to a journalism professor at the University of Iowa.
EDUCATION
Graduated with distinction from the University of Iowa with a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications, a minor in English, and concentrated course work in secondary education
Earned 100 percent of college expenses through work and six scholarships (based on academics, not financial need)
Member of Phi Beta Kappa and other national honor societies
