Derek Taylor Kent — Derek the Ghost

Derek Taylor Kent is an author, screenwriter, and performer based out of Los Angeles, California. His new book series, Scary School (written under pen name Derek the Ghost), recently won an award for “Funniest Chapter Book of 2011” by Children’s Literature Network, and has become one of the most popular new series for middle-readers. Published by HarperCollins, new books in the Scary School series will be coming out every June. He also recently sold a bilingual picture book called El Perro In Sombrero to Holt/Macmillan, which is due for release in Fall 2014.

Derek started writing children’s books at the age of fifteen. His other book series include Simon and the Solar System and Rudy and the Beast. He toured the nation with his one-man children’s show, Michael Jordan’s Magic Shoes, which he wrote and performed while attending UCLA’s School of Theater.

In addition to children’s books, Derek is also a prolific screenwriter and producer. He currently has a feature comedy in development with the producer of Source Code and World of Warcraft and also wrote a horror script for The Donner Company (Superman, Lethal Weapon, Tales from the Crypt), and he also has a pilot in development with MTV. His production company Sad Ninja Comedy produces music videos, commercials, and internet content.

Derek has also written and produced many children’s plays with sold-out runs at the Westside Playhouse and Culver City Public Theatre. He’s been a mentor at summer camps and children’s programs, overseeing creative storytelling and arts & crafts activities. In his spare time, Derek teaches children’s writing, young adult writing, structure, and publishing for Writing Pad in Los Angeles (writingpad.com).