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Consulting & Nancy Drew® Projects At A Glance:

Got Clues? Want to learn more about Nancy Drew® ?

If you're interested in Nancy Drew® and need an expert, consider me your gumshoe gal Friday! I write, research, consult, and speak about Nancy Drew®--it's a delightfully mysterious hobby to say the least...

If you're working on a Nancy Drew® article, book, or some kind of production or product, drop me an e-mail.

My website has been used for numerous research projects, articles, and product development. However, it only touches the surface of Nancy Drew® and her mysterious history. If you're interested in getting the full scoop, I'm happy to clue you in. At the very least, consider fact-checking your work with me. Surely you don't want to see your work in my Mysterious Case of the Misinformed/Missing Facts Bibliography section! This website section is a work in progress and will include articles, interviews, and books that have innacurate facts and sources in them related to Nancy Drew®. This is my attempt to correct all the misinformation that exists out there in media and print sources.

Members of the Press, Party Planners, Teachers & Librarians: I've got a super Nancy Drew® Press Essentials Kit of ready made items you can use to spiff up your stories and profiles! Press kit essentials include: Nancy Drew® history timeline, Nancy Drew® trivia, Nancy Drew® factoids, 10 interesting clues about the new 2007 Warner Brothers Nancy Drew movie starring Emma Roberts, Nancy Drew® at the Movies & TV fact sheet, & much more!

Scroll down below the following highlights for more clues on my consulting, writing, and research...

Writing: Over 75 articles and Op-eds since 1998, various publications Compiled Nancy Drew nostalgia book, Clues for Real Life: The Classic Wit and Wisdom of Nancy Drew, Nov. 2007. Meredith Books. Currently working on several Nancy Drew® nostalgia non-fiction and fiction books

TV & News interviews on Nancy Drew:® Click on the following links for images of my collection for these TV setups: NBC Today Show NBC-KPNX Phoenix Affiliate Newspapers & Magazines: Including USA Today, Newsday, LA Daily News, Foxnews.com, The Associated Press, The Washington Post, Newsweek, and The Arizona Republic

Consulting: Film Company Consulting: Warner Brothers and Lucas Films Nancy Drew® and history Nancy Drew® research and fact-checking Library displays and programs Graphic Design, High Res Scans

Nancy Drew® Collection Rentals See opening sequence to Warner Brothers Nancy Drew film. I have over 3000 pieces in my collection--some can be rented, filmed, or photographed! Click on TV links above for images of my collection!

Event Planning: 7 Nancy Drew® Sleuths Conventions and a scholarly 75th anniversary Nancy Drew® Conference

Speaking Engagements: Nancy Drew® Presentations, Literary Panels Learn all about Nancy's mysterious history. Get clues to collecting Nancy Drew®

In the ten+ years that I have been writing and researching, I have amassed a huge archive of research material, newspaper and magazine articles, and primary research documents. My research on the books themselves includes every Nancy Drew® book and series written since 1930. Over 500 books and counting...

Companies I have worked with include: Her Interactive, Papercutz, Specialty Board Games, Chronicle Books, Warner Brothers, Simon & Schuster, Grosset & Dunlap (The Lost Files of Nancy Drew, etc.), Gumshoe Girls, and Lucas Films.

I've consulted with authors writing newspaper and magazine articles. My contributions have been acknowleged in the following books:

Girl Sleuth: Nancy Drew and the Women Who Created Her by Melanie Rehak.
Not a Girl Detective by Susan Kandel, author of the Cece Caruso mysteries.
The Lost Files of Nancy Drew

Below, you'll find a few more clues to my writing, consulting, speaking engagements, and much more!

Rediscovering Nancy Drew®

I began reading Nancy Drew® books in the second grade and never looked back. Many adventures and 23 years later, I research, write, and consult about the plucky sleuth. I rediscovered my passion for collecting Nancy Drew® when I went to law school (JD, May 2000, Texas Tech University School of Law). Nostalgia led to actively collecting and searching out vintage books and collectibles. Collecting led to research which ultimately led to the creation of this website and many ongoing projects and consulting deals.

Research & Writing:

I have written over 75 combined articles and Op-Ed pieces since fall 2000 for publications including: Firsts Magazine, Clarion, Great Mystery & Suspense Magazine, The Whispered Watchword, Susabella Passengers & Friends, The Sleuth, Yellowback Library, Dime Novel Round-Up, The Guilded Lily, and The Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star.

For a list of articles and publications/dates, click here.

Nancy Drew & Mildred Wirt Benson: A Mystery Revealed. The original “Carolyn Keene,” nom de plume for the continuingly popular Nancy Drew mystery series, was “nobody’s sweet grandma.” She was Mildred A. Wirt Benson, a feisty, adventurous spirit. A career newspaperwoman, she set the standard for the enduring heroine that many fondly remember and still read today.

Read all about Nancy Drew and Mildred Wirt Benson in my article in the December 2006 issue of Firsts, a literary magazine for book collectors and enthusiasts. Firsts can be purchased on their website or in many independent and used/collector book stores!

Currently, I am writing a book which focuses on the 75 year history of Nancy Drew®, Nancy Drew Sleuth: 75 Years of Mystery Revealed. Interested publishers may inquire--the book proposal is now being shopped around. A biography on the original "Carolyn Keene," Mildred Wirt Benson, is in the works. While this website is a good introduction into the world of Nancy Drew®, you will find indepth analysis of all things Drew in my upcoming book. For my series of ten 75th anniversary articles, visit the Nancy Drew® Revealed section.

Appearances & Speaking Engagements

I am available for lectures, programs and conventions.

I often customize presentations to suit event needs with specialized subjects. I do have several routine presentations which can be shortened if need be:

Nancy Drew 101: Collecting Drew, focuses on collecting and the many Nancy Drew books and collectibles over the years since the series debuted in 1930. This presentation runs about 45 minutes.

Nancy Drew: A Mysterious History Revealed, focuses on the history behind the mystery from Nancy Drew creator Edward Stratemeyer to the various ghostwriters and Stratemeyer's daughters Harriet Adams and Edna Squier, as they shaped and moulded Nancy Drew into being America's favorite teenage sleuth. This presentation runs about 45 minutes.

Previous Speaking Engagements:

• Nancy Drew Sleuths' 2nd Annual Convention, Iowa City, IA 2002
• Mildred Wirt Benson Day, Toledo Public Library, Toledo, OH, 2002
• Children's Series Book Convention, Charlottesville, VA 2002
• Tennessee Williams Literary Festival: Literary Panelist, New Orleans, LA 2005
• Nancy Drew 75th/Stratemeyer Syndicate 100th Conference: Literary Panelist, NYC, NY 2005
• Nancy Drew Sleuths' 5th Anniversary Convention, Phoenix, AZ 2005
• Nancy Drew Sleuths' 7th Annual Convention, Pasadena, CA 2007
• Nancy Drew: Clues for Real Life: The Classic Wit and Wisdom of Nancy Drew Book Signing Event, Poisoned Pen/Scottsdale, AZ 2007

Upcoming Events:

• Phoenix (Mesquite Branch) Library: Nancy Drew Mystery Event: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 Phoenix, AZ
• Univ. of Michigan/Dearborn: Children's Series Books & Artwork Exhibit (Including Nancy Drew), Opening Reception: September 12, 2008 Dearborn, MI
• Nancy Drew Sleuths' 8th Annual Convention, Lancaster, PA: Sept. 30-Oct. 5, 2008

Consulting & Interviews

Most recently, I was the Nancy Drew Consultant for Warner Brothers on the soon to be released 2007 Nancy Drew® movie, Nancy Drew A large portion of my Nancy Drew® books were used by Warner Brothers to film an opening sequence for the movie which should prove to be nostalgia filled!

My collection is available for displays, photographing and for articles and books. Portions of my collection have been photographed for the production of licensed Nancy Drew® products by Chronicle Books. You'll see a credit to myself and fellow Sleuth member Karen Finlay on the bottom flap of the fabulous postcards set.

My collection was featured in a Nancy Drew® segment on the NBC Weekend Today show in February 2004. To view images of the collection and the filming, click here. I was interviewed about the collection and the continuing popularity of Nancy Drew®. Recently, I was interviewed and my collection was featured during the October 2005 Nancy Drew Sleuths' 5th Annual Convention in Phoenix, AZ on the local NBC affiliate KPNX 12 News. To view images of the collection and the filming, click here.

I have consulted on various Nancy Drew® projects, licensee products, and provided research and images for a film company's Edward Stratemeyer documentary. My graphically enhanced Nancy Drew® image on the main page of this website from The Secret of the Old Clock was used for an article in the St. Petersburg Times and I've provided images of Nancy Drew covers for other publications including Harpers and Queen.

I have been interviewed about Nancy Drew® for The Associated Press, USA Today, Newsday, LA Daily News, The Boston Globe, FoxNews.com (twice), Contra Costa News, The Arizona Daily Star, The Washington Post, Newsweek, The Times-Picayune, The Gambit Weekly, The Arizona Republic, The San Antonio Express-News, The Eagle-Tribune, Traverse City Record Eagle, The Toledo Blade, The Sun News, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Des Moines Register, The Baltimore Sun, The Hamilton Spectator, LA City Beat, Copley News Service, Erie-Times News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Costco Connection, The Flint Journal, The Beaumont Enterprise, The Oregonian, The Burg.com, Upstate Moms, The Daily Herald (a Chicago area paper) and The Kansas City Star.

As time allows, I consult on book identifications and values of Nancy Drew® books. School projects and papers on Nancy Drew® are quite popular and I have been happy to help many kids with their research and answer their questions.

The Nancy Drew Sleuths, Event Planning & Upcoming Events

As an event planner, I have been planning social functions for many years. I run a small party company, The Vintage Party--vintage flair for every affair! As President of The Nancy Drew Sleuths, I have planned the Sleuths' seven annual conventions--the eighth will be held in Lancaster, PA, Sept., 2008. I coordinated the Nancy Drew 75th/Stratemeyer Syndicate 100th Anniversary Conference which was held in NYC, June 16-19, 2005. My goal in planning these conventions and conferences is not only to have an exceptional experience, but to take it to the next level and make the Nancy Drew® mysteries that so many hold dear, really come alive! With no party products on the market for Nancy Drew®, I have helped many families and kids plan their own Nancy Drew® parties. I also am editor of the Nancy Drew Sleuths' series zine focusing on girls' and boys' series books--including Nancy Drew®--The Sleuth.

My Collection

My extensive Nancy Drew® collection can be viewed in two set ups--the 2005 set up being more complete by clicking on the following links:

NBC Feb. 2004 Set Up
NBC 12 News Phoenix, AZ 2005 Set Up

I love to sleuth through old used book and antique stores for vintage Nancy Drew®, but I have found most of my items at eBay. Though my collection of books and collectibles includes over 3000 pieces, I am always in search of a few elusive items. Perhaps you might have a few clues to items on my Want List... I am what people would call an "Anything Nancy" collector--I am continually adding to the collection.

Website & General Research Bibliography

In creating this website and also in separately researching for my upcoming book and various articles, I have conducted the following research:

Added to my reading and analyzing of the Nancy Drew® series, is personal research at the trial archives of the 1980 Grosset & Dunlap trial, the Mildred Wirt Benson archives at the University of Iowa Women's Archives, the New York Public Library Stratemeyer Syndicate archives which portray a very interesting and factual history--the big picture if you will--of the Stratemeyer Syndicate and the many people who contributed to its success, personal interviews with Mildred Wirt Benson, an e-mail interview with a Stratemeyer family member, and other esteemed and dignified researchers and writers like myself. Any other source material is duly noted throughout this website.

15 of My Favorite Nancy Drewisms

• 1. Russell H. Tandy artwork
• 2. The Hidden Staircase
• 3. Hannah Gruen's cooking
• 4. A baffling mystery
• 5. Fabulous frocks and sleuthing heels
• 6. Moon Lake (how dreamy)
• 7. Roadside tearooms
• 8. A suspenseful cliffhanger
• 9. Lipstick SOS
• 10. Original text melodrama
• 11. The genius of Edward Stratemeyer
• 12. Those snooty Topham sisters
• 13. Dirk Valentine's Treasure
• 14. Ned Nickerson
• 15. Secret passageways

My Most Favorite Nancy Drew® Moments

My mom taking me book hunting for those treasured volumes, sneakily reading Nancy Drew® books in the elementary school library during class activities, finding an old school paper where I listed reading Nancy Drew® books as my favorite thing to do, acquiring a first edition first printing of The Secret of the Old Clock, making wonderful friends through collecting, The Nancy Drew Sleuths, and this website, and meeting the first Carolyn Keene--Mildred A. Wirt Benson.

Appreciation and Nostalgia

My mother and grandmother encouraged me to read at an early age and helped spark my interest in Nancy Drew.® Nancy Drew® wouldn't be Nancy Drew® without Harriet Adams and Mildred Wirt Benson, the real "Carolyn Keenes," whose contributions to this series and children's series literature helped to foster the enduring legacy of Nancy Drew®.