Hello from the Jersey Shore!
I’m Jennifer Mary Grolemund, a writer, mother, and science teacher. For many years, I wrote textbook and digital content for education publishers. My creative writing only went on behind the scenes. Not too long ago, I decided to change all of that and follow my heart.
As a result, I completed Stanford University’s certificate program in novel writing and discovered the support of an amazing writing cohort. My first novel (YA unpublished), which I wrote for the Stanford program, was selected as a finalist for RWA’s 2016 Daphne du Maurier Award in Excellence for Mystery & Suspense. I am currently working on my second novel, a spooky middle grade story.
I also LOVE and write picture books–both fiction and non-fiction. My non-fiction focuses on science and conservation topics, including the amazing people out there doing biological field work.
I’m a member of SCBWI, Women Who Write, and 12 x 12 and I was selected as a mentee for the Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature (RUCCL) in 2018, 2019, and 2021. Advice from a SCBWI workshop helped me connect with two critique groups full of talented, fun, kind, and super-inspiring writer friends 🙂
KidLit is always at the top of my reading list and I happily stockpile titles to share with my children, students, and friends. This blog has helped me make connections with many other writers in the KidLit community and I continue to learn so much. My favorite feature is the Author Q & A–authors are such interesting and generous people!
Besides reading and writing, I enjoy camping, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with my family. The science nerd in me loves StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson, TED Talks, and NPR’s Science Friday.
Random Facts about Me
1) Over the years, I’ve studied butterflies in Ecuador, tagged sea turtles in Barbados, uncovered fossils in Newfoundland, and hiked/kayaked throughout Southeastern Alaska while studying glaciers, wildlife, and fisheries.
2) I love exploring New York City–restaurants, museums, bookstores, shops, parks, etc.
3) In the summer, my family can often be found traveling with our pop-up camper and lots of books.
4) I LOVE a good ghost story!
5) The Big Bang Theory always makes me laugh.
Thank you for visiting my blog!
If you love and/or write kidlit too, leave a comment and share some of your favorites 🙂
Jennifer Mary G 
Nice bio! Best of luck!
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It’s always a good day when you make a new friend. I appreciate making it on to your list of Blogs… take your Jersey shore, replace it with the DEEP south… and substitute old Friends reruns for the Big Bang Theory and it seems we share a lot of similarities (including from the most obvious ones of course.) I look forward to reading more from you.
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Thank you! Yes, it’s so great to discover new writing/bookish friends!
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Such a fun ‘about’ page! 🙂
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I’m from the Jersey Shore too though I don’t live there anymore. I think it’s wonderful you took the big leap to follow your creative writing dreams. It isn’t easy to do that and having kids only makes that journey harder. I know all about that too. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I’ll be sure to keep reading yours.
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Thanks, Stacey! I found you while researching more about the overlook, something I grew up hearing all about and totally believe in thanks to my great-grandmother. Very cool we have that in common! I was able to learn the “magical prayer” at midnight on Christmas Eve a few years ago. I’m trudging along with my writing, truly a labor of love, and squeezing it in whenever I can 🙂 Nice to “meet” you!
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Nice to meet you, Jennifer! I’m writing my first children’s book and although it’s a bit nerve-wracking, it’s exciting, too. I love your pictures!
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Thank you, Pamela! Stick with it! Best of luck to you! 🙂
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Hi Jennifer. It’s always great to discover a fellow lover and writer of kid lit. Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting about SHADOW GRAVE by Marina Cohen. I am also from NJ and look forward to seeing more of your book recommendations.
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Wow, love the blog and find it amazing you are able to keep it going, giving everything else in your life! Totally salute your teaching, writing, parenting, and birthing Wisdom! Wishing you much health and vitality to carry on your important work!
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Thank you so much, Marty! Right back at you 🙂 It’s all part of our path! 🌟
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Yes, I agree…teaching and writing are all part of our Wisdom path…feel very fortunate are paths crossed!
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