Authors >
Jessica Martinez

Jessica Martinez
Photograph (c) Jennifer Craiker

Jessica Martinez

Jessica Martinez was born to two music lovers in Calgary, Canada. When she was just three years old, they put a violin under her chin. Miraculously, it stuck. She went on to play across Canada and the United States, perform as a soloist with... Read full bio

Author Revealed:
Q. Who is your favorite fictional villain?
A. I've been staring at this question for a half hour. I think that means it's time to admit I don't have one. It also means I have time management issues.
Learn more about Jessica Martinez
My life in 8 words: "Multi-tasking gone terribly awry. Where are my kids?"
Related multimediaclose x

Video

1 to 1 of 1
  • 1635265513_1381697978001_15-full
    1. Love & Music
    02:29
    1367586628001
See more multimedia
Virtuosity will be released on September 18, 2012 in Trade Paperback
Feb 18, 2012
Brightcove:
Love & Music
Jan 05, 2012
News:
Virtuosity has won an award
Nov 29, 2011
Author Appearances have been announced:
Find Jessica Martinez appearances
Nov 09, 2011
Virtuosity will be released on October 18, 2011 in Hardcover, eBook
Oct 18, 2011
Virtuosity is now available in Hardcover, eBook
Oct 18, 2011
Excerpt:
Chapter 1 from Virtuosity
Sep 24, 2011
Author Revealed Answer:
What are your 5 favorite songs?
May 21, 2011
May 21, 2011
May 13, 2011
Author Revealed Answer:
What is your favorite movie?
May 13, 2011
Author Revealed Answer:
What is your favorite television show?
May 13, 2011
Author Revealed Answer:
What were your previous occupations?
May 13, 2011
Author Revealed Answer:
What was/is your favorite job?
May 13, 2011
May 13, 2011
May 13, 2011

Jessica Martinez Revealed

Q. What is your motto or maxim? A. Be kind to yourself. (My mom says it to me all the time, possibly because she knows I need permission.) Q. What are your 5 favorite songs? A. Sorry folks, this is going to be long, but I love all genres of music (except that New Age crap they play on NPR on Saturday night, because clearly that is not music) so I have to make multiple lists. Classical: Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1, Mozart Requiem, Bach Chaconne, Borodin String Quartet No. 2, Sibelius Violin Concerto. Next list--Songs I sing with my kids: O Canada, America the Beautiful, anything by Anne Murray or Sharon, Lois & Bram. (Incidentally, number one artist requested by my kids that I refuse to play or sing: Lady Gaga.) Last list--Songs that make me smile and turn up the volume: King of New Orleans by Better Than Ezra, The Only Exception by The Paramores, Rolling in the Deep by Adele, Sk8er Boi by Avril Lavigne (don't judge me), I Want it That Way by Backstreet Boys (I said don't judge me). I could go on with the lists, but instead I think I'll end with the number one song most likely to make me punch somebody in the face: Crimson and Clover by I don't know who and I refuse to google it. Q. What’s your best quality? A. I'm pretty good at do-overs, both giving them and taking them. Q. What 3 personal qualities are most important to you? A. Humility. Kindness. Intelligence. Q. What trait is most noticeable about you? A. Primate-esque arm length. My knuckles occasionally drag on the ground. Learn more about Jessica Martinez

Authors on the Web

Orlando Sentinel, February 8, 2012
...Tod Caviness, Orlando Sentinel Congratulations are due to Orlando author Jessica Martinez, whose novel "Virtuosity" took the silver medal in the Florida Book Awards young adult category for 2011. Not bad for a debut book, and Martinez already has another...
WCTV6, February 7, 2012
...University Press of Florida) Young Adult Gold: Ryan G. Van Cleave, “Unlocked” (Walker Books for Young Readers)Silver: Jessica Martinez, “Virtuosity” (Simon & Schuster/Simon Pulse)Bronze: Alex Flinn, “Cloaked” (HarperCollins/Harper Teen)...
PublishersWeekly.com, October 20, 2011
...shot Sunday morning after a GLiBA Teen/Tween Author Panel. L. to r. Moira Young ('Blood Red Road'; S Jessica Martinez ('Virtuosity'; Simon Pulse); Lisa McMann ('The Unwanteds'; Aladdin); and Marie Lu ('Legend'; Putnam), joined by Kristina Riggle ('Things...
Abilene Reporter, May 20, 2011
...career and technology students from Abilene, Cooper and Holland Medical high schools. Rachel Mayor, Shaina Meitl, Samantha Lennon, Jessica Martinez and Alexis Morgan received $500 scholarships. Valedictorians and salutatorians from Abilene, Cooper, Wylie...
Linus's Blanket, October 24, 2011
...In Virtuosity , by Jessica Martinez , Carmen Bianchi is a seventeen-year-old violin virtuoso carrying the weight of a Grammy award-winning career and the failed dreams of her musician mother on her shoulders, and into the fiercest...
Eve's Fan Garden, October 18, 2011
...Caster Chronicles, Beautiful Chaos ! Sara Zarr on the release of the gripping, How To Save A Life! Jessica Martinez on her debut novel, Virtuosity! Happy Reading!...
Steph Su Reads, October 13, 2011
...of the matter is that it is extremely difficult to write a believably antagonistic parent. That’s where Jessica Martinez succeeds. Carmen’s mother, Diana, is a failed musician, and channels all of her hopes and demands onto Carmen. Their relationship...
Book Binge, October 7, 2011
...just finished reading a great YA contemporary book that I enjoyed a great deal. It was Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez and it's a great teen read so I recommend it for your teenage daughters or nieces. Right after I finished that book, I picked up Real...
Abby the Librarian, October 4, 2011
...Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez. Grades 7+ Simon Pulse, October 2011. 304 pages. Reviewed from ARC provided by publisher.Violin is everything to seventeen-year-old Carmen Bianchi and the most prestigious violin competition of her...
Manga Maniac Cafe, October 4, 2011
...he’d done the right thing.  I couldn’t imagine ever feeling that way.   Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez was a surprise arrival in my mailbox.  The first three pages have me totally hooked! I opened my eyes.  My knuckles, bony and...
Sarah Ockler, Author, August 6, 2011
...drive that rivals my dad vs. kid Backgammon days, cute football boys, and awesome sexual tension FTW!Virtuosity, by Jessica Martinez (October 2011)Carmen is a world class, grammy-winning violinist. Despite (and partly because of) her many achievements,...