Priscilla Gilman
writer of fiction and nonfiction for lapsitters to teens
![Black and white self-portrait, white woman looking playfully off to the side with hands partly securing the face, palms out and fingers open.](assets/images/image03.jpg?v=7db5c3ae)
![Color photograph: Overhead view of white table top scattered with an array of electronics supplies: bread boards, jumper wires, LEDs, a speaker, a small fan, batteries, screwdriver, a multimeter etc.](assets/images/image04.jpg?v=7db5c3ae)
experience
I start from what I know: The Maine island where I live. The Gulf Coast where I grew up. The chronic illness that disabled me. The wild places that sustain me. The children I love.Then I seek out more: I build electronics. Help frogs and salamanders migrate. Volunteer with kids at my local library.
research
I dig into archives. Learn from experts. Follow clues and questions and gaps and puzzles—until I start to understand. Then I go deeper.I order vintage machine parts. Study circuit diagrams. Return to that pond. Look for missed sources. Write to more experts. Document everything.
![Color photograph: Vintage radial stopper switch, a bronze-colored machine part against a plain white background.](assets/images/image06.jpg?v=7db5c3ae)
![Color photograph, overhead view of a black table top with scattered paper scraps, X-Acto knife, scissors, and other supplies for making a picture book a dummy.](assets/images/image10.jpg?v=7db5c3ae)
craft
I read, read, read. Take classes. Draft and re-draft. Make dummies. Seek feedback.When I’m stuck, I brainstorm fifty new ways to tell it, write five, pick the best, and revise to captivate. Even the antagonist should delight. Even a machine deserves wordplay. And above all, the story must satisfy.
But why?
I’ve always wanted to live in a world enchanted by…
joy, fascination, beauty,
creativity, connection
![Black-and-white photograph: A white girl about five years old crouches in low surf, fascinated by the flow of water through her hands and feet.](assets/images/image08.jpg?v=7db5c3ae)
Galveston, Texas, 1976
And—in everything—there must be…
Play!
![First image in a 4 x 3 grid of square photographs. Black and white headshot, self portrait, period eyes bugged out, looking to the side, teeth forward, cartoonish pose.](assets/images/image05.jpg?v=7db5c3ae)
![Color photograph: Headshot with gaping mouth and hands around eyes to look like two black holes. High contrast filter.](assets/images/image14.jpg?v=7db5c3ae)
![Black-and-white photograph: Close-up headshot, big eyes looking off to side, pursed lips.](assets/images/image16.jpg?v=7db5c3ae)
![Color photograph: Close-up headshot with scrunched face looking through the handles of purple scissors. Blue fuzzy cloth draped around head and neck.](assets/images/image09.jpg?v=7db5c3ae)
![Black and white photograph: headshot, dramatically greedy face, biting a couple fingers.](assets/images/image15.jpg?v=7db5c3ae)
![Color photograph: Headshot with hair wrapped around face as if it was a beard. One eyebrow raised in mock serious expression. Toy camera filter gives yellow cast.](assets/images/image07.jpg?v=7db5c3ae)
![Color photograph: headshot, prissy pose, pursed lips and chaotic, neck length hair.](assets/images/image01.jpg?v=7db5c3ae)
![Black-and-white photograph: headshot with hands poised on top of head like rabbit ears. Cute face.](assets/images/image02.jpg?v=7db5c3ae)
![Color photograph: Imitation of Obi-Wan Kenobi with light saber. Serious face in stark light with cloak around head. Shining silver stick held in front.](assets/images/image12.jpg?v=7db5c3ae)
![Black-and-white photograph: Headshot close-up, peering over crooked glasseswith one eyebrow raised, as if scrutinizing.](assets/images/image11.jpg?v=7db5c3ae)
![Color photograph: Headshot looking through a pink hair band with one eye as if it was a magnifying glass. Toy camera filter gives yellow cast.](assets/images/image17.jpg?v=7db5c3ae)
![Last image in grid of self-portraits. Black and white photograph: Headshot dramatic look of surprise, eyes and mouth wide open. Taken from above lying down, so that hair is spread around as if surprised too.](assets/images/image13.jpg?v=7db5c3ae)
Creativity warm-up self-portraits, 2020–2023
Contact
I’d love to hear from you if you are interested in my work or in connecting as a fellow creator.I am represented by Emily Keyes.