Bess Auer is a published novelist who specializes in both private and corporate education. A Florida native who graduated with a degree in Health Science Education from the University of Florida, Bess draws on her experience as a collegiate Gator cheerleader to be a dynamic public speaker.

Having spoken at state and national conferences for K-12 teachers as well as smaller seminars for Fortune 100 companies, she prides herself on her communication abilities.

An accomplished writer, Bess is a regular contributor to several magazines, including Orlando Style Magazine (250,000 readership) and The Association of Sports Wives Magazine (700,000 readership). She is the former editor of Strokin' Swim Magazine, a regional magazine for competitive swimmers, as well as the former editor-in-chief for Tools & Tactics, an internationally read guide to high tech procurement for Fortune 500 companies.

Bess's first novel, SOul Conspiracy, was one of eight finalists (from over 200 entries) in the 1998 International Hemingway Novel Competition. Her second novel, Confessions of a Gator Cheerleader, was published to positive reviews from the Orlando Sentinel.

Bess also deals in public relations, creating marketing pieces, both online as well as print, for companies. She recently handled press releases for a NASCAR Nextel Cup Race team before it was sold to Petty Racing Enterprises. In addition to her speaking and writing, Bess currently teaches K-12 English for a private school in the Orlando area.

My passion is ...

writing, family, education.

I know too much about ...

cheerleading!

My parents always told me ...

to get a real job.

My childhood ambition ...

to be an astronaut...until I found out how much math was involved!

My favorite memory ...

getting married and the birth of our child.

Why I write ...

to avoid getting a real job. HA!

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

Philippa Gregory-such indulgence!

My first job ...

teaching English and creative writing.

My best moment ...

has it happened?

My inspiration ...

my family.

Education > Reading & Writing Skills How to get kids excited about writing

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After teaching reading and writing for over 15 years, I have found the single strongest motivating factor in getting kids exciting about writing: publishing. I'm talking actual attempts at getting published by real editors and real magazines, whether they are in-print or virtual.

For most of our children's schooling, they are expected to write for an audience of one, the teacher. The paper is then returned, often with red ink all over it, and then it finds its way to a desk drawer or trashcan, never to be seen again. However, once you discuss the reasons why mankind even developed writi...

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