I am currently (July 2016) teaching a class of authors about writing diverse characters, my Spice of Diversity class. I received a student question that I’ve chosen to answer here, because I think it deserves a wide, thoughtful, answer. I was asked, …when I wanted to write a Spanish hero, another writer with a Hispanic last […]
Writing cross-culturally Read More »
I laughingly call writing my sub-minimum wage job. Counting the time involved in coming up with an idea, writing the first draft, revising, editing and creating a dozen or more successive drafts, gnawing at my fingernails, sleep-walking and dreaming the story, the ROI is nothing to write home about. And then there\’s all the time
Even if no one paid me Read More »
In October 2015, I was moderated a panel of authors and illustrators of diverse books at the Illinois Library Association meeting in Peoria, Il. B A Binns, Miranda Paul, Chris Raschka, Laura Park This well attended panel presentation took place in a double room at the Peoria Civic Center on October 23, 2015 in front of a
#ILLibrary15 Illinois Library Association conference panel on Diversity Read More »
Diverse books for young readers were plentiful at the Chicago Black Authors tent this weekend at the 2014 Printer\’s Row Literature Festival in Chicago, Il. We faced a steady stream of interested kids, parents and teachers both Saturday and Sunday. I had the misfortune of selling out my stock of copies of Pull early on
Books filled with life’s quirks, kinks, and diversity – #weneeddiversebooks Read More »
I have this Superfan named Michael. It\’s always nice to know someone out there reads–and loves–my books. He took upon himself the task to make my books easily available to others. He had to special order my new book, Minority of One from his local Barnes and Noble because they don\’t carry it. And then,
On Friday I traveled the 144 miles to Bloomington Illinois to meet with freshmen at Bloomington High School. I was invited by Keran Johnson, the school\’s retiring Library Media Specialist (she\’s in full countdown mode). We met last fall when I spoke at the Illinois School Library Media Association in Springfield, and she mentioned how
End of Year School visit Read More »
As an African American author I look forward to the annual Romance Slam Jam conference. for readers and authors of black romance. RSJ Authors This year was the 19th RSJ and the theme was \”Romancing The Big Easy\” and the get-together was in Kennar Louisiana, just outside of New Orleans. The conference covers four days
Look at the kids and see why #weneeddiversebooks Read More »
This week I was asked to do this week\’s post on The Writing Process (as if I have a for-real process.) I want to thank my friend and fellow author Ellen Parker or inviting me to join The Writing Processblog hop. Ellen writes Romance from the Heartland and you can find out more about her
The Writing Process Blog Tour Read More »
Today is the last day of the Heartbreaker\’s Blog Tour. It\’s your last chance to win a Kindle and read posts about me, diversity in YA books, Minority Of One that follows a gay black teen and a straight white girl as they each seek answers to the question, What if you were the only
What If You Were The Only One Of Your Kind? Read More »
I am now the author of two YA novels, one of which was a YALSA 2012 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers list, and was on the School Library Journal list of best books for youth in detention in 2011. Being noted by on those two lists made my proud, because one of my
ALA 2013 – Attracting Reluctant Readers Read More »