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BessV

rank: 1111

Last week's position: 1114

first registered 20.01.12

last online 49 mins ago

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about me

I inherited the love of reading and writing from my mom and a passion for traveling from my dad. I come from a family of readers, but I've always loved telling and writing stories as much as reading them. I also love watching people and imagining fantastic back stories for them. I’m a nonfiction book editor and writer, and I currently live in Denver.

If you'd like to contact me about my writing, you can email me at bess [underscore] vanrenen [at] yahoo [dot] com.

favourite books

Mrs. Dalloway, Wide Sargasso Sea, The Sound and the Fury, Persepolis, The God of Small Things, The Hunger Games, The Bastard of Istanbul, The Help, Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, anything Jane Austen

my websites

http://www.bessannvanrenen.com     http://ramblinbess.blogspot.com

HarperCollins is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Self-publish with CreateSpace

my books

Camp Smeat

Bess Vanrenen

When four girls are accepted to a prestigious summer camp, they quickly realize that one of the teachers is hiding something … in their food.


Every single day in every single meal, Srirupa, Teresa, Margaret, and Caroline are served some variation of Smeat—a processed conglomeration of meat byproducts, in a can. The Smeat was donated by Mrs. Todd, the CEO of Smeat, Inc., and also the camp’s most popular teacher. Not only does Mrs. Todd refrain from eating Smeat, but the girls soon start to see a dark side of the hyper-perfect teacher. Srirupa, Teresa, and Margaret become convinced that something is amiss. But Caroline, in her quest for success, will do anything to get on Mrs. Todd’s good side, even if it means abandoning her friends and ignoring the frightening truth about Smeat.

"Camp Smeat" may best be described as a Soylent Green meets Nancy Drew mystery and was also influenced by The Baby-sitter's Club, Hoot, and Holes.

The cover was designed by Benjamin, who blogs at benmojo.blogspot.com.

 

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Mademoiselle Nobel
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latest

Brittany Engstrand wrote 5 days ago

Thank you for such a great.comment!! You're on my Wl for a return rea....

Bill Carrigan wrote 5 days ago

Many thanks, Bess, for backing "The Doctor of Summitville." I really ....

carolinelangford wrote 5 days ago

Would you be interested in a read swap? My book 'Walking On Eggshel....

Mademoiselle Nobel wrote 6 days ago

Hi Bess, I hope you're having a wonderful weekend so far? CAMP ....

Bill Carrigan wrote 7 days ago

Many thanks, Bess, for your complimentary message and thoughtful crit....

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my comments

latest

I wrote 5 days ago

Very nice work! There is a lot in here that will draw in young adults, mainly Melaney's upcoming adventure in the alternity, but also her family and friends in the "real" world, the interesting tidbits about Japanese culture, romance, and her grandma's history with the alternity. I look forward to r... view book

I wrote 7 days ago

I have been admiring your cover and title for a while and finally got around to reading. I'm glad I did! I can see why it's in the top 5. You certainly know how to write a sentence. The books feels a little like Graham Greene, and I can really see it as a movie. You've done an excellent job with cha... view book

I wrote 18 days ago

The first line is gripping. You immediately want to know why she has urine on her leg, and then come to find out she has a neurological disorder. I also like all the lively chatter among all the family members. It's very realistic and mostly endearing (I say mostly because some of the characters are... view book

I wrote 27 days ago

Wow-your writing is so tight! You've also done an excellent job with suspense and mystery. Why did she lie? Who was she trying to protect, and why? These are all questiios I'm intent on finding answers to by the end of chapter 1. I also have mixed feelings about your MC, which I think s a god thing.... view book

I wrote 28 days ago

Wow! Great job! Your characters are so real and consistent, and you do such a good job with description. You also have a little conflict or intrigue in every scene, which keeps me wanting to read. Plus, you're writing about two things that intrigue me, but in different ways: the South and past lives... view book

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