Who is Rini?

Rini (aka Irene Pozoukidis)was born in Connecticut but raised by her grandmother in Greece until the age of three.  She fell in love with words at an early age and became fluent in both Greek and English. Rini wrote her first story at the age of ten and still has the original copy.  She rediscovered her love of writing while in graduate school and recently completed her first picture book manuscript!

Rini's studies and work experience have given her a broad insight into the fantastic world inhabited by children.  As such, her writing embodies the values of children including: imagination, laughter, curiosity, and most importantly-a heart open to the seemingly impossible.

Rini currently holds a masters degree in elementary education and volunteers as a middle school writing coach in Berkeley, CA.  She is a member of Red Room, the SCBWI, and enjoys creatively inspiring others with her blog!

Fun Facts:

In fifth grade, Rini won fifth place in the town-wide spelling bee.

Although Rini is first generation American and her first language is Greek, she has no Greek accent.

Rini's favorite books from when she was a kid include: 

• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
• The Nancy Drew series
• Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
• R.L. Stine's Goosebumps/Fear Street series
• Marc Brown's Arthur series
• The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Rini's hobbies include knitting, making her own jewelry, volunteering, having new adventures,& reading books-including manga!