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Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer's Life
Lucy Maud Montgomery believed that one day she would be taken seriously as a writer. Despite the many obstacles she faced throughout her life, Montgomery not only earned a good living as a writer, but also became famous for it. Anne of Green Gables is one of the most popular books ever written and has been translated into over 20 languages, garnering Montgomery worldwide recognition and appeal. Weaving the real events of her life into the fabric of her fiction using photographs, excerpts from newspapers and actual journal pages, this biography explores Montgomery's struggle and determination to realize her dreams. This book in the Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History series includes a concise timeline and a listing of pertinent Web sites.
Hardcover
First published March 1, 2001
73 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth MacLeod
94 books32 followersElizabeth MacLeod was born on October 21 in Toronto. As a child Liz liked to read Nancy Drew and Anne of Green Gables books, swim, sing, dance, and hang out with her friends. Encouraged by her parents, she began writing stories and poetry for her own enjoyment at the age of 10, her favorite subjects being mad scientists and tyrants who threatened to take over the world.
Today Liz is inspired by almost anything--her friends, reading, and the funny, beautiful world around her. Her first job in publishing was at OWL magazine, and Liz credits editor Sylvia Funston as one of her mentors. Liz also names Valerie Wyatt, a writer and editor, as an important influence on her work, as well as a good friend.
An avid reader, Liz enjoyed digging up amazing facts and researching historic royals and their countries and customs for Royal Murder (2008). She encourages anyone with a desire to write to "just do it." Even if no one ever reads it, the joy that comes from expressing yourself through words is reward enough. Liz adds that writing takes practice, and with each day you are bound to improve.
Liz lives in Toronto with her husband, Paul, and their two cats, Smedley and Cosmo.
She enjoys keeping active, spending time with friends, music, theater, and cheering on the Toronto Maple Leafs. Liz plans to continue writing about a broad spectrum of topics in both fiction and non-fiction, and would like to work on more picture books in the future.
Today Liz is inspired by almost anything--her friends, reading, and the funny, beautiful world around her. Her first job in publishing was at OWL magazine, and Liz credits editor Sylvia Funston as one of her mentors. Liz also names Valerie Wyatt, a writer and editor, as an important influence on her work, as well as a good friend.
An avid reader, Liz enjoyed digging up amazing facts and researching historic royals and their countries and customs for Royal Murder (2008). She encourages anyone with a desire to write to "just do it." Even if no one ever reads it, the joy that comes from expressing yourself through words is reward enough. Liz adds that writing takes practice, and with each day you are bound to improve.
Liz lives in Toronto with her husband, Paul, and their two cats, Smedley and Cosmo.
She enjoys keeping active, spending time with friends, music, theater, and cheering on the Toronto Maple Leafs. Liz plans to continue writing about a broad spectrum of topics in both fiction and non-fiction, and would like to work on more picture books in the future.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 2, 2024
Well, everyone who is a dedicated Anne of Green Gables fan likely knows that Lucy Maud Montgomery’s 1908 novel featuring imaginative and delightfully endearing young orphan Anne Shirley was an immediate international bestseller and as such also made Maud pretty well renowned and internationally famous quasi overnight so to speak (albeit that seemingly instant success of Anne of Green Gables, it actually only happened after years of writing struggle and numerous rejections of the AOGG manuscript).
And yes, Elizabeth MacLeod’s 2001 picture book length biography Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer's Life is textually perhaps a bit dense for a picture book, but is in my humble opinion also nicely and successfully accessible to and for young readers from about the age of nine to twelve or so (and with many included photographs of Maud at various ages, of the houses she lived in, of the room Lucy Maud Montgomery used for writing, of her typewriter, even a photo of her favourite cat Daffy, as well as back-matter that provides a biographical timeline, a list of all of Lucy Maud Montgomery's published works, websites for further study and research, an appreciated and detailed index) and with Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer's Life having MacLeod's printed words focus primarily on Maud's journey as a writer (from original obscurity to fame and fortune), beginning with her childhood in Prince Edward Island with her very strict and dour maternal grandparents.
Now because Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer's Life is quite obviously geared towards younger readers, Elizabeth MacLeod also and understandably so pays particular textual attention to events in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s youth, such as the publication of her first poem at the age of sixteen, how Maud faced rejection and at times despair with regard to her writing, but also demonstrating how she persevered, that Maud stubbornly and hopefully submitted her Anne of Green Gables manuscript again and again after it had been rejected by multiple publishers (and how after submitting the manuscript rather recklessly and impulsively to a famous and very prestigious American publishing house, Anne of Green Gables became an immediate success and bestseller and that in her late thirties, Lucy Maud Montgomery was in fact earning from her writing royalties as much as the Canadian Prime Minister).
Finally, but importantly, albeit MacLeod in Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer's Life also refers briefly to the darker elements of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s life (such as the death of her second baby and her husband Ewan's debilitating depression), Elizabeth MacLeod does not ever textually dwell on these in Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer's Life but concentrates instead much more on the Maud's determination and her literary triumphs (which course is acceptable and even rather understandable for the intended age group and that as a simple and basic introduction to L.M. Montgomery's life and her oeuvre Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer's Life works pretty well, but that MacLeod's focus on positivity, determinism and success also renders Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer's Life a bit overly positive and optimistic and as such in my humble opinion really to only be recommended to and for the above mentioned nine to twelve year old readers and that what is written about Lucy Maud Montgomery in Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer's Life is most definitely a bit too triumphant and positive for older teenagers and adult readers).
And yes, Elizabeth MacLeod’s 2001 picture book length biography Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer's Life is textually perhaps a bit dense for a picture book, but is in my humble opinion also nicely and successfully accessible to and for young readers from about the age of nine to twelve or so (and with many included photographs of Maud at various ages, of the houses she lived in, of the room Lucy Maud Montgomery used for writing, of her typewriter, even a photo of her favourite cat Daffy, as well as back-matter that provides a biographical timeline, a list of all of Lucy Maud Montgomery's published works, websites for further study and research, an appreciated and detailed index) and with Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer's Life having MacLeod's printed words focus primarily on Maud's journey as a writer (from original obscurity to fame and fortune), beginning with her childhood in Prince Edward Island with her very strict and dour maternal grandparents.
Now because Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer's Life is quite obviously geared towards younger readers, Elizabeth MacLeod also and understandably so pays particular textual attention to events in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s youth, such as the publication of her first poem at the age of sixteen, how Maud faced rejection and at times despair with regard to her writing, but also demonstrating how she persevered, that Maud stubbornly and hopefully submitted her Anne of Green Gables manuscript again and again after it had been rejected by multiple publishers (and how after submitting the manuscript rather recklessly and impulsively to a famous and very prestigious American publishing house, Anne of Green Gables became an immediate success and bestseller and that in her late thirties, Lucy Maud Montgomery was in fact earning from her writing royalties as much as the Canadian Prime Minister).
Finally, but importantly, albeit MacLeod in Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer's Life also refers briefly to the darker elements of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s life (such as the death of her second baby and her husband Ewan's debilitating depression), Elizabeth MacLeod does not ever textually dwell on these in Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer's Life but concentrates instead much more on the Maud's determination and her literary triumphs (which course is acceptable and even rather understandable for the intended age group and that as a simple and basic introduction to L.M. Montgomery's life and her oeuvre Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer's Life works pretty well, but that MacLeod's focus on positivity, determinism and success also renders Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer's Life a bit overly positive and optimistic and as such in my humble opinion really to only be recommended to and for the above mentioned nine to twelve year old readers and that what is written about Lucy Maud Montgomery in Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer's Life is most definitely a bit too triumphant and positive for older teenagers and adult readers).
March 4, 2010
One neat thing about this book is it has a complete list of her works. I photocopied it and marked off the titles as I bought them. I own all but her poetry book which had a limited press when it was published way back when so even if I found it I couldn't afford it. I have a different poetry book of hers but I'm referring to the only one published during the publications of her books the first time around.
July 23, 2013
A beautiful portrayal of one woman's fascinating journey from being a lonely child to becoming one of history's finest authors and celebrities! Here is a life that should be celebrated and appreciated by all! A Must Read!
March 11, 2009
I loved this little biography which is in the juvenille nonfiction section. I am a huge "Anne of Green Gables" fan and this had lots of photos and info. I found very interesting and fun!
July 29, 2009
I enjoyed learning more about Lucy Maud Montgomery. This book was more of a children's book than I expected, but I liked learning about her life.
February 8, 2011
I ordered this thinking it was a biography of Lucy Maud Montgomery and discovered that it is a kid's book!
February 14, 2016
Very short biography of the famous author of Anne of Green Gables.
Perfect for author day at school!
Perfect for author day at school!
April 4, 2018
A lesson in perseverance and patience.
March 8, 2024
If you or your family enjoy the writings of Lucy Maud Montgomery, you will enjoy this short book, written with a younger audience in mind - upper elementary and up?
The book is a broad overview of the author's life, but yet gives interesting details. e.g. L. M. Montgomery preferred to go by the name of Maud, and she wanted Maud spelled without an "e." Hence, doing the opposite with the name Anne, in "Anne of Green Gables." The book is also well illustrated, and at the back is a list of all the books she wrote, some of which were published post-humously.
Renewed my desire to visit PEI, Canada.
The book is a broad overview of the author's life, but yet gives interesting details. e.g. L. M. Montgomery preferred to go by the name of Maud, and she wanted Maud spelled without an "e." Hence, doing the opposite with the name Anne, in "Anne of Green Gables." The book is also well illustrated, and at the back is a list of all the books she wrote, some of which were published post-humously.
Renewed my desire to visit PEI, Canada.
November 10, 2023
While this interesting book is picture book length, it has a lot more text and many more details about Maud's life than most picture book biographies. This book is also illustrated with many period photos, and photos of Maud herself. In addition to the main text, each page includes sidebars, maps, photos and interesting tidbits that expand on the text. Backmatter includes a timeline of Maud's life, a list of all of her published works, places to visit, a list of websites, and an index. An excellent biography for youngsters interested in the author.
January 31, 2021
Some interesting facts. A great list of the books she wrote and the order one should read them in. Some facts I could have gone without knowing😯. I read this to my kids and it taught them a bit about life and hardships of her time. A few parts i found a bit confusing due to the writing and had to go back.
June 9, 2020
One of my favorite authors!
January 19, 2021
NF- Biography
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews