About Wordplay Wisdom


Get to know the mother-daughter duo dedicated to writing!

Stephanie is a mother who began homeschooling her two children more than a decade ago. To meet her children’s need for robust instruction, she has created her own creative writing curricula and researched dozen (and dozens!) of commercially available options. From 2017 to 2022, she also served as the main adult volunteer and editor for the Girl Scout of River Valleys Press Corps, a safe space for girls to develop their own voices.


She has published academic, nonfiction, and magazine pieces, and was named a finalist in the Writers League of Texas Manuscript Contest. Her professional experience includes decades of legal and policy analyses and grant writing. Stephanie holds a Bachelor in English literature, a Master in Public Administration, and a Juris Doctor.

Stephanie Surles

Mom and Writer

Madelyn has been creating stories since she could speak in sentences. As the first homeschooled National Student Poet, the nation’s highest honor for youth poets presenting original work, Madelyn has had the opportunity to support young writers around the United States.


Her fiction is equally recognized. Madelyn was named a YoungArts Winner in Short Story, as well as one of only 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts in 2021. Madelyn is currently attending Princeton University, where she is studying creative writing with renowned poets, prose writers, and screenwriters.

Madelyn Dietz

Daughter and Writer

FAQ:

What is Wordplay Wisdom?

Simply put, Wordplay Wisdom is the resource Stephanie and Madelyn wished they'd had when Madelyn was a young writer. We created this space to save other families from the hours and hours of research Stephanie conducted and the struggles we each faced as we worked to help Madelyn improve her writing skills and connect with other young writers.

What does Wordplay Wisdom offer young writers and those who support young writers?

Wordplay Wisdom has collected the books, resources, and tools we have found useful; created vibrant virtual and in-person classes to help eager writers refine their skills and connect with other eager writers; provided step-by-step instructions for multiple aspects of the writing life; and offered free resources so all young writers can establish their own voice.

Where else can I connect with Wordplay Wisdom?

Questions? Email us at wordplaywisdom@gmail.com.


Connect with us on Instagram at @Wordplay_Wisdom_Writers.


To learn more about Stephanie and Madelyn, you can also visit our LinkedIn pages.

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