Dana Newcomb

My name is Dana Newcomb. I live in a small beach town on the eastern shore of Maryland. I began writing The Rebecca Chronicles when I was twelve-years-old, journaling my experiences and feelings. It surprised me how it helped with my emotions; however, my journal found a home on a shelf as I got older. Finding it many years later, I decided to create a fictional book series about twelve-year-old, Rebecca Sherman, and have her write relatable content in her journal to help other young girls with their thoughts and feelings.

Insecure, clumsy, and emotional are just a few of Becca’s attributes. In book one, My Crazy Cringeworthy Countdown to Summer, she encounters everything from getting her period on her school field trip to awkwardly buying training bras with her mom. In book two, My Surprisingly Not-So-Simple Summer, she suffers the embarrassment of passing out in front of her crush, the roller coaster ride of emotions with her BFF, and a family tragedy that leaves her feeling helpless. Book three, My Incredibly Awkward Adventures from Locker 73, finds her entering the first semester of middle school without her best friend, and although she has a boy who likes her, she's too young to date, is challenged with algebra, and is still dealing with mean girls. In book four, My Ridiculously Awesome End of 7th Grade, Becca finishes the second semester while coping with multiple dilemmas: unintended screen sharing, a kiss she didn’t expect, and a party involving the police.

I wrote the series in first person so the reader could feel the highs and lows, laughter and tears. I believe if we can normalize the rites of passage all girls go through, maybe we can eliminate some of the anxiety and depression so many young teens experience.

The series is written in a journal-style format. Each journal entry is a different length. Some days are several pages whereas some are only one sentence. When I was young, the first thing I did when I chose a book was to check the length of the chapters. This style creates a relaxed, easy read for preteens.

Eventually, there will be eight books in the series which will carry Rebecca from the tail end of sixth grade through the end of eighth grade. The dream and the goal is for girls to find my books relatable and realize they are not alone with their thoughts and feelings. Hopefully, my series will be a helpful tool to assist them on their journey.