Maria Ellis

I was born in a mid-sized industrial city in the South of Romania, while the country was still dominated by the communist regime in 1975. My father was a political prisoner in the 50's and 60's. His story and that of other members of our family inspired my first book, a novel that I published in Romania.

At 21 I moved to the US. I spent the next 8 years or so trying all sorts of things, such selling computer products over the internet, freelance business writing, screenwriting courses and the rich Mexican cuisine. I returned to Romania for family reasons, published my first novel and then my first kids book, that I also illustrated.

I spent another 8 years in my native country, writing novels, kids books and TV sitcoms. When the global recession hit, jobs in television were not so easy to hold on to for writers so I started teaching English. For almost three years I had daily contact with kids between the ages of 5 and 12. I fell in love with them and the teaching process and how it perfectly mixes with my writing, illustrating and story-telling.

I now live in Belgium, where I have recently moved to be with my husband. We are expecting our first child, a boy. Now I spend my days writing and illustrating kids books and writing literary fiction. You can see more about me and my books at www.maria-ellis.com.

I hope to meet you on the road!