Deborah Howe James Howe

James Howe, born in 1946, is an American author renowned for his extensive contributions to children's and young adult literature, with over 79 books to his name. His early life showed a strong inclination towards writing, including plays and self-published newspapers, with a particular interest in a club called Vampire Legion. After studying theater at Boston University and pursuing acting and modeling in New York City, Howe's literary career took a significant turn.

In collaboration with his first wife, Deborah Howe, he created the character of Bunnicula, a vampire rabbit who drains vegetables of their juice. This concept, inspired by late-night viewings of classic Dracula films, led to the book 'Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery.' The book achieved considerable success, earning numerous Children's Choice awards. Tragically, Deborah Howe passed away shortly before the book's publication, an event that inspired James Howe to write 'The Hospital Book.' Howe began writing full-time in 1981, expanding his bibliography to include picture books, novels, nonfiction, and adaptations. His work, 'The Misfits,' influenced the creation of GLSEN's annual No Name-Calling Week. Howe has since remarried and divorced, coming out as gay, and married his current husband, Mark Davis, in 2011. He also served as a consulting producer for the animated adaptation of his books.

From a young age, James Howe demonstrated a consistent passion for writing. By the age of nine or ten, he was already crafting plays, inspired by popular comic strips like 'Blondie,' and producing various short stories. His creative endeavors extended to self-published newspapers, with 'The Gory Gazette' being a personal favorite. This publication was created for a self-established club named Vampire Legion, hinting at an early fascination with themes that would later resurface in his professional work. This early exploration of imaginative concepts and storytelling laid the groundwork for his prolific career in children's literature.

Howe's path to becoming a celebrated children's author involved a period of diverse artistic pursuits, including theater studies at Boston University and subsequent work as an actor, model, and director in New York City. A pivotal moment arrived in the mid-1970s when his mother-in-law encouraged him and his wife, Deborah Howe, to develop a children's story. Drawing inspiration from older Dracula films, they conceived the character of Bunnicula, a rabbit who exhibited vampiric traits by draining vegetables. This collaboration resulted in 'Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery,' which garnered significant acclaim and multiple awards, ultimately launching a popular series. The premature death of Deborah Howe profoundly impacted James, leading him to write 'The Hospital Book' as a tribute.

Following the success of the Bunnicula series, James Howe transitioned to full-time writing in 1981. His output expanded considerably, encompassing a wide range of genres including picture books, novels for children and young adults, nonfiction works, and adaptations of classic literature. He also ventured into screenwriting for film and television. His 1997 young adult novel, 'The Watcher,' marked his debut in that category. The book 'The Misfits,' which was inspired by his child's challenging middle school experiences, played a significant role in the establishment of GLSEN's annual No Name-Calling Week, highlighting the impact of his writing beyond entertainment. Howe's contributions to literature were recognized with the E.B. White Read Aloud Award for Picture Books in 2007 for 'Houndsley and Catina.'