Erzsi Deak

Erzsi Deak (pronounced "aire-zshee" ; "Erzsi" is a Hungarian diminutive for "Elizabeth" (like "Beth" or "Betty"). She grew up believing that "Deak" meant "royal scribe," but learned a few years ago that it's closer to "Clark" or "Clerk." The noble belief was good while it lasted.

A journalist for ages, Erzsi has covered fashion and children's features from Alaska to San Francisco to Paris. She has tramped the Alaska Pipeline looking for environmental problems, worked as a camp counselor managing the craft hut, and always as a writer.

In addition to writing about flowering spaces and urban fowl, Erzsi launched Hen&ink, a literary studio and is happy to tell you about her fabulous coop at http:/​/​henandink.com. Hen&ink provides literary services: agenting, scouting and translation. She also edits the SCBWI Bulletin "Here, There, Everywhere" column that shines a bright light on children's books around the world.

Erzsi has been known to live on planes and at the book fairs in Frankfurt, Bologna and London. For family dinners, you can usually find her in France or the US.