Among her favorite books to read were the Nancy Drew series and teen romances.
Little, Brown editor John Keller recalls coming across the manuscript for Impossible Possum at the beginning of his editorial career: "It [was] fresh and funny, tone was just right..."[5] Previously to being acquired by Little, Brown, it had been rejected by 12 other publishers.
The Alfred G. Graebner Memorial High School of Rules and Regulations was an ALA Notable Young Adult Book in 1976, and Lenny Kandell, Smart Aleck (Little, Brown) was named an SLJ Best Book in 1983.
Her children's book And This is Laura and the story Revenge of the Incredible Dr. Rancid and His Youthful Assistant, Jeffrey became ABC Weekend Specials, while her young adult novels Dear Lovey Hart, I Am Desperate became an ABC Afterschool Special and The Alfred G. Graebner Memorial High School Handbook of Rules and Regulations was a CBS Schoolbreak Special.
Ellen Conford died at her home in Great Neck, New York on March 20, 2015, her 73rd birthday.