Authors of ‘Nanny Diaries’ discuss the ‘real real’

Monday, 11 May 2009 23:00

Local teens get real opportunity to learn from best-selling authors of The Nanny Diaries

Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, co-authors of the critically acclaimed novel The Nanny Diaries, will be coming to the Greenwich Education and Prep on Thursday, May 21, in an event for aspiring authors between 12 and 20 years old.

Ms. McLaughlin and Ms. Kraus will not only be talking at length about the writing process and participating in a question and answer session, but also serve as guest judges that night for a creative writing contest organized by Greenwich Education and Prep. The authors will discuss and read excerpts from their new novel for teens, The Real Real.

This event, which will take place at the Greenwich Water Club at 49 River Road in Cos Cob on Thursday, May 21 at 7 p.m., is a rare opportunity for aspiring young authors to listen to and learn from two successful and culturally relevant authors.

Meredith Hafer, director of Greenwich Education and Prep, said the night is an excellent way to get teenagers excited about creative writing.

“Many students don’t understand that even talented writers have to work hard to craft a finished piece of writing, to make their ideas come alive in print,” Ms. Hafer said. “We think that it will be inspiring for teens to hear professional writers discuss the challenges and rewards of the writing process.”

The Real Real revolves around just such a teenager — Jesse O’Rourke. Jesse becomes an instant celebrity thanks to careful scripting and manufacturing from the show’s producers. However, as the lines between TVs version of “reality” and actual reality start to blur, she soon struggles to remember “the difference between real and the real real.”

The book wil be released nationwide on Tuesday, May 19, and will be available for sale at the event.

As preparation for the upcoming appearance of McLaughlin and Kraus, Greenwich Education & Prep is holding a creative writing contest for aspiring authors in middle school and high school. The contest, open to middle and high school students, requires students to submit a piece of creative fiction of no more than 1,500 words answering the question: What is real?

All stories must be typed and double spaced; finished copies can either be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or mailed to Greenwich Education & Prep, P.O. Box 391, Cos Cob CT, 06807; include writer’s name, age, grade level, address, phone number and email address. All entries must be received by Friday, May 15.

Successful entries will be original, well-written, and offer a thoughtful perspective on the writing prompt. The high school and middle school winners will receive a $75 gift certificate to Diane’s Books, have their work read by Ms. McLaughlin and Ms. Kraus and may be published in a literary magazine.

Reservations are required for the May 21 event. E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it no later than Tuesday, May 19. Include the names of all people who will be attending in each party, as well as an e-mail address and phone number for at least one of the party members.