What does Utah children's writer Alane Ferguson have that writers M.E. Kerr, Christopher Pike and James Howe don't have?
She has the 1990 Edgar Award for the nation's outstanding mystery novel for children.Ferguson received the award, named in honor of Edgar Allan Poe, in a New York City ceremony last week. Her novel, "Show Me the Evidence," is the story of two teens and a test of friendship. It just went into paperback, which means the Edgar will boost sales, interest and - yes - the career of one of the best young children's writers in the West.
"I lie in bed at night and think of ways of getting away with murder," says Ferguson, "and that leads me into puzzles that can be interactive reading for kids. If the clues are there and the game is fair, I want them to be able to solve the mystery."
The award has raised Ferguson's stock for future books as well. She's already fielding offers on two upcoming novels ("The Practical Joke War" and "Overkill") and trying to promote Cricket, the protagonist of her latest effort.
Being a full-time mother and full-time writer, of course, means compromises must be made.
"I'm comfortable with making my kids a priority," she says. "And I'm sure my productivity will go up when they are grown. Right now I have to pick my spots. When I'm writing I have to tell them `unless it's bleeding or on fire, please don't bother me for a little while."'
"Laney," as friends call her, is the daughter of Gloria Skurzynski, a major children's writer in her own right.
"There's no competition between us," says Ferguson. "She's completely supportive. Right now she's out there blazing trails in non-fiction. She and my husband Ron are my `soul support."'