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Debra Ginsberg
Debra M. Ginsberg (June 15, 1963-) is a London born, American author. She is the author of three critically acclaimed memoirs as well as two critically acclaimed novels. Her first memoir Waiting: The True Confessions of a Waitress was published by HarperCollins Publishers in 2000, followed by Raising Blaze: A Mother and Son's Long, Strange Journey Into Autism, which chronicled her longtime struggle to get her son the education he was entitled to.

--Biography== Debra Michelle Ginsberg was born June 15, 1963 in London, England of American and South African descent. In her youth the Ginsberg family moved frequently between, Europe, America and South Africa. Settling in America in the 1970s. They moved back and forth from New York to the West Coast before eventually settling in Portland, Oregon. Ginsberg Attended Lake Oswego High School and decided to stay in Portland and attended Reed College, the highly regarded liberal arts college, located in Portland's Eastmoreland neighborhood.

The family finally settled in San Diego, California in 1987.

She gave birth to her son, also a writer, Blaze Bennett Ginsberg (Episodes, Roaring Brook Press, NY, NY. 2009) in 1987.

Career
Ginsberg spent twenty years waiting tables. Those years were the basis of her first book, the memoir, Waiting: The True Confessions of a Waitress, published in 2000 by HarperCollins Publishers, NY. The book struck a chord and was a surprise hit, launching Ginsberg into the national spotlight. Publisher's Weekly wrote, "[Ginsberg] conveys the unpredictability and humanity of this humble but essential work. While the Associate Press said, "This book is more than a saga about workplace woes...Ginsberg relives her personal struggle, waiting for her life to 'happen.

Her second memoir, Raising Blaze; A Mother and Son's Long, Strange Journey Into Autism (2002), of which The Kirkus review wrote, "A stirring record of a mother's battle fought with zest, humor, and love." Raising Blaze was followed by About My Sisters (2004), in which Ginsberg chronicled life as one of three sisters (and a brother) from a large family, brought up by, less then conventional, parents. It was a Denver Post Bestseller and published to sterling reviews. The tryptich provides an insightful look at a large, outspoken, modern American family.

After three memoirs Ginsberg tried her hand at fiction publishing Blind Submission (Shaye Arehart, Crown 2006), a New York TimesEditor's Choice and once again managing to garner favorable attention from national reviewers. The Grift followed in 2008 to even greater critical acclaim and was chosen as a New New York Times Notable Book in the mystery category.

Ginsberg has worked for various literary agencies and enjoys a second career as a book editor. She has been a frequent reviewer for the San Diego Union Tribune and has reviewed for the Washington Post. She is a regular reviewer for Shelf Awawreness, a major industry blog and has done some commentary for National Public Radio.

Ginsberg is currently working on her third novel.

Bibliography

Memoirs Waiting: The True Confessions of a Waitress 2000 Raising Blaze: A Mother and Son's Long, Strange Journey Into Autism (2000) About My Sisters (2006)

Novels Blind Submission (2006) The Grift (2008)

Further Reading Episodes: My Life As I See It, Blaze Ginsberg, Roaring Book Press, NY, NY, 2009.