I’m a children’s book author, speaker, and educator–currently on the faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA in children’s literature–who grew up in Ethiopia and now lives in Portland, Oregon. I write both fiction and nonfiction and in many different genres, picture books to tween novels.
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The Power of One Writer 
Posted by Annemarie on January 6, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Love the layout of your blog. It’s so easy to follow and visual, colorful and grabbing. Who did it/set it up?
Posted by Jane Kurtz on January 6, 2010 at 11:39 pm
Great! My daughter set it up for me, but I think she pretty much just used the WordPress layout, so I think a lot of the credit needs to go to whoever designed WordPress. I haven’t yet been able to put in nearly as many pictures as I want, but I’m learning.
Posted by Missy on May 23, 2010 at 7:13 pm
I was reading your newest entry, and its cool you met Mary Casanova!
Posted by Jane Kurtz on May 23, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Mary and I actually met when we both had one book published–both with small publishers. For years, we were the only serious writers the other one knew, and we would drive several hours to meet and talk about writing. Having American Girl experiences to share and compare with Mary has been one of the most fun experiences of my life.
Posted by Missy on May 24, 2010 at 11:07 pm
Awesome~
Posted by sim on July 27, 2010 at 7:33 am
hello jane. it was an awesome coincidence that i knew about you. i was doing my postgraduate dissertation on Ethiopian children literature and i goggled for some info, and there you are with so many interesting stories about Ethiopia and many kids books. i am so impressed but would like to know, when you say you grew up in East Africa, is it Ethiopian or?
hope i will contact you soon. I have a lot to discuss with you.
sim
Posted by Jane Kurtz on July 27, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Yep…I grew up in Ethiopia. My parents moved there when I was two and I didn’t live in the US for any length of time until I started college. You can find an email link to me on my website. Jane
Posted by Shaffer Pamela Jean on February 25, 2012 at 1:51 am
Hello,
My son is Ethiopian born. We came home September 17 2010. I brought home some children’s books from Ethiopia, and know of the obvious books. Where would you suggest I look for an extended list? Will your dissertation be published for the public?
Posted by Jane Kurtz on February 25, 2012 at 3:20 pm
I’m not sure what you mean about my dissertation, but if you’ve visited http://www.ethiopiareads.org to see the books Ethiopia Reads carries and know of Amharic Kids and Abshiro Kids and have looked on amazon for what people buy when they buy my books, you probably have 90% of the resources I know of. For the Ethiopia Reads libraries, we’re pretty vigilant about hunting down what’s published in Ethiopia, and it isn’t much, alas. Hoping that will change with encouragement and support.
Posted by Letty Watt on April 13, 2011 at 2:42 pm
I’ve just read your Lanie blog and thoroughly enjoyed your walked through Pittsburg. I know some of your other books, especially the Ethopian folktales. Can’t wait to meet you in Hutchinson, Ks May 6. Hope we have everything organized for you so the few days here flow smoothly and fill you with more energy to write and share.
Posted by Jane Kurtz on April 14, 2011 at 12:41 pm
And thanks for all the fabulous energy and help you’re offering LeAnn on that event! You’re great.
Posted by Jim Larsen on April 23, 2011 at 5:53 pm
Jane Kurtz is the real McCoy if you didn’t know it. I’ve seen the libraries in Ethiopia, I’ve met some of Ethiopia Reads staff, and spent time with Jane. If you can buy books for this upcoming opportunity, I urge you to do so She dreams, and finds ways through others to make things happen! Jim Larsen
Posted by Jane Kurtz on April 23, 2011 at 5:55 pm
Thanks, Jim. I love the feeling of those books floating toward Atlanta to get on a container to Ethiopia. I mailed my own two boxes just this morning (and ordered some from Usborne, too). I have 100% confidence that the staff in Ethiopia will get them to the places where they need to be.
Posted by Shaffer Pamela Jean on March 1, 2012 at 10:32 pm
Hi. I’m new at following blogs…that was my first attempt to post on one. July 7, 2010, sim wrote: “doing my postgraduate dissertation on Ethiopian children literature” I’d love to learn more about it. Thanks
Posted by Ava on May 19, 2012 at 6:09 pm
Hi! we sort of JUST found your comment to our STT artical, soooo thats pretty awesome. We just wanted to tell you that you are the reason we have STT! so thanks!