Award-Winning Author Marilyn Levinson Writes Stories for All Ages
Many of you may be familiar with Marilyn Levinson/Allison Brook’s engaging mystery and suspense novels for adults. But did you know Marilyn has also written award-winning stories for young readers? Recently, the fourth book in her middle grade Rufus series came out, and I had the chance to interview her about the series.
First off, congratulations on the release of the fourth book in your middle grade Rufus series, RUFUS AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF MAGIC. Can you share with our readers a bit about the book and what inspired the character of Rufus and the series?
Thanks so much, Lynn. I wrote the first book, RUFUS AND MAGIC RUN AMOK, so long ago, I can’t remember what inspired me to create Rufus Breckenridge. I suppose I wanted to write about a character who likes to think he’s “normal” and like everyone else, even though his mother, aunt, and grandma are witches. When he suddenly acquires magic, he refuses to tell anyone because he knows he’ll have to take lessons re how to control his powers. And so, his magic powers grow and run amok. 
One of the things that really impressed me about the books about Rufus was the ways in which he has grown. Can you talk about how he has matured during the series?
Rufus is a somewhat shy fourth-grader when readers meet him. He’s nervous about anything new in his life. Big Douggie chases him home from school every day. One day Rufus wishes Douggie would do a double somersault and land on his butt. And sure enough that’s what happens. Suddenly, Big Douggie is frightened. Rufus now has magic, but he also acquires self-confidence. Rufus learns to control his magic. He also learns how to deal with Big Douggie in a nonmagical way, and they become good friends.
Rufus makes plenty of mistakes, but he has a good heart and uses his magic to help both NMOs (None Magical Ones) and other witches. He has many friends, both NMOs and witches. 
You capture the emotions and feelings of your young characters so beautifully. What has given you such a keen insight into how young children think, feel, and react to the events in their lives?
I have two sons, and I also was a high school teacher at one point in my life.
In addition to reading a very engaging and entertaining story, what do you hope your young readers will take away from reading RUFUS AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF MAGIC?
In RUFUS AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF MAGIC, Rufus is suddenly being pranked by Tom, a witch a few years older than he is. Rufus can’t understand why Tom has it in for him. Tom admits he resents Rufus for having an easy life while he doesn’t even have a home. But when Rufus sees Tom being tormented by some boys in his class, then saved by The Triad, the hottest entertainers around, he views Tom in a different light. Rufus and Tom drop their hostilities as both become involved in the Triad’s extravaganza. 
A good deal of the book is about magic. The witches know that NMOs fear they will use magic as a way of gaining power, so they are careful to never take advantage through magic. Rufus and his friends want to change the strict rules the circles obey. One such rule is never to use magic as entertainment. The Triad and their parents observe more reasonable rules governing their magic. The different attitudes toward magic are comparable to the different political views people hold in real life.
You are an award-winning author of novels for both children and adults. What drew you to writing for these different age groups?
I started writing for kids when my sons were very young. Years later I was drawn to writing mysteries and a few suspense, though the very first book I wrote is a mystery suspense.
What is your writing process like, and are there ways in which it differs, depending on what age group you’re writing for? 
My writing process is I suppose to suddenly have an idea for a novel. Over time I learn more and more about the storyline or lines. Eventually, I write down an outline, though that often changes. I’ve become more of a pantser over the years, especially when writing books in a series. My writing process is the same regardless of the age group.
I know that you were a long time Spanish teacher. What led you to your second career as a novelist?
I loved to write when I was very young. In fact, I still have a notebook of “stories” from early elementary days. I started writing short stories when my sons were very young. Then I started writing novels.
What steps did you take to develop your fiction writing skills?
I took courses here and there, even worked with someone on a one-to-one basis. But my best teacher was my dear friend Roberta Gellis. She was published in many genres. At first I took adult ed courses with Roberta, then we became close friends and went food shopping together. I can’t tell you anything specific I learned from her. She helped me write COME HOME TO DEATH, my first novel, and was always helpful plot-wise with the first few children’s books I wrote. Gradually, I managed to write and plot on my own, though today I have a group of writing friends. We help each other with plot problems, creating titles, and finding new ways to commit murder.
What’s next for you writing-wise?
I have a new home for my Books on the Beach series. and a contract for the second and third book! After the first book came out, my publisher decided not to continue the series. I just finished writing the second book. When I finish going over that a few times, I’ll start the third book.
Thanks for visiting today, Marilyn!
BIO:
A former Spanish teacher, Marilyn Levinson writes mysteries, novels of suspense, and books for kids. Her books have received many accolades. As Allison Brook she wrote the Haunted Library series. Death Overdue, the first in the series, was an Agatha nominee for Best Contemporary Novel. Death on Dickens Island, the first book in her new series, was released in October, 2025. Other mysteries include the Golden Age of Mystery Book Club series, the Twin Lakes series, and Giving Up the Ghost. Her suspense, Come Home to Death, was released in April, 2024, and her suspense, Dangerous Relations, has been republished.
Marilyn’s juvenile novel, Rufus and Magic Run Amok, was an International Reading Association-Children’s Book Council “Children’s Choice” and has come out in a new edition. Three more books in the series: Rufus and the Witch’s Drudge, Rufus and the Dark Side of Magic, and Rufus and the Right Side of Magic have been released. Rufus and the Dark Side of Magic was a Malice nominee for Best Children’s/Young Adult Mystery Novel in 2026. Marilyn’s first book for young readers, And Don’t Bring Jeremy, was a nominee for six state awards and has recently been republished. Her YA horror, The Devil’s Pawn, came out in a new edition in 2024.
Marilyn lives on Long Island, where many of her books take place. She loves traveling, reading, doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku, chatting on FaceTime with her grandkids, and playing with her kitties, Romeo and Juliet.
Buy Links for Rufus and the Right Side of Magic:
Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Rufus-Right-Side-Magic-ebook/dp/B0HGBSMBLC
Amazon PB – https://www.amazon.com/Rufus-Right-Side-Magic/dp/B0HGN8FQ7C
Apple – https://books.apple.com/us/book/rufus-and-the-right-side-of-magic/id6805232337
Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/rufus-and-the-right-side-of-magic
Bookshop PB – https://bookshop.org/a/11404/9798898202392
Bookshop ebook – https://bookshop.org/a/11404/9798898202408