Zetta Elliott's Blog, page 78
March 2, 2012
see you tomorrow!
They're forecasting rain tomorrow morning but sunshine by the afternoon—and temps approaching 60 degrees! I hope you'll spend part of your day with us at the African Burial Ground National Monument. The launch party for Ship of Souls will start at 1pm; I'll give a brief talk/reading at 1:30 and then we'll have some cake! We're going to have a raffle, too, so make sure you get your ticket when you arrive. And please note that the burial ground is a federal site so you'll have to pass through airport-style security. All the details are on our Facebook page. I hope to see you there!
My guest post is up at the Kindle blog. Thanks to everyone for believing in magic and believing in me!
February 29, 2012
planting a seed
Today I gave my last Black History Month presentation for the Brooklyn Public Library. An auditorium full of 8th graders! Each class was named for an ivy league college, and one boy from Dartmouth came up to talk to me afterward—he had developed a sequel for SoS! "What if the netherbeings pursue Nuru into her realm, and in order to fight back, Nuru turns D and Nyla and Keem into supernatural beings, too! Then, once the netherbeings are defeated, the three kids can return to their own world but they get to keep some of their supernatural abilities!" I urged Steven to write that story himself and he said, "But that's plagiarism." (love this kid) "Actually, it's called fan fiction, and it's ok to write about other people's characters so long as you take credit for writing it." A writer is born!
I was quite surprised when I got home last night and found that the AmazonEncore team had sent me a bonsai tree to celebrate the publication of SoS—I know very little about bonsai trees, but figured out that this one is a braided money tree from Central America! It even came with a gold dollar coin wrapped around the trunk…
Ship of Souls has gotten two more great reviews. Our first Canadian review is up at Amy Reads and Em at Love YA Lit had this to say:
At just 132 pages, Elliott does an impressive job creating a cast of complex and amiable characters, weaving in history, and conjuring up some magic like I've never seen before. I would gladly spend more time with D, Keem, and Nyla. Each are interesting, distinct characters, but even more so their chemistry and their growing camaraderie were enchanting. Elliott does a fabulous job of creating believable characters in realistic settings. In both of her urban fantasy novels, I've found myself intensely connected to the contemporary/realistic sections of the stories, before diving headfirst with the characters into the fantasy. In Ship of Souls, what starts off feeling like a contemporary fiction novel, eventually turns into an all-out fantasy adventure. The story is fast-paced, with short chapters and lots of action, making it a great choice for struggling readers or those craving a quick read that doesn't lack in quality and depth. While Ship of Souls is a bit more MG than YA, with it's complex character development, strong sense of place, beautifully imagined fantasy, and unique feel, it should find a home with many ages of reader.
Looking Ahead
Each year The Brotherhood/Sister Sol co-sponsors an educational panel that focuses on solutions to the educational crisis we face in New York City – and indeed throughout the nation. The inadequate level of education provided to the children of this nation who are most in need is the pre-eminent civil rights issue of our time. Each year our educational panel has been filled to capacity and each evening has been a truly powerful night that has moved from the normal platitudes and simplistic debate to real discussion.
On Tuesday, March 6th, at 7:30, we are co-sponsoring this important event with The Metropolitan Center for Urban Education at New York University.
This event is free – but you must register for what promises to be a rich conversation focused on results, solutions and big picture thinking:
The Metropolitan Center for Urban Education at New York University & The Brotherhood/Sister Sol present…
Looking Ahead: What is working in New York City for Educating Our Children?
Moderator:
William C. Rhoden, Columnist, The New York Times
Panelists:
Dr. Merryl H. Tisch, Chancellor, New York State Board of Regents
Dr. Pedro A. Noguera, Peter L. Agnew Professor of Education, New York University & Executive Director, Metropolitan Center for Urban Education
Khary Lazarre-White, Esq., Executive Director & Co-Founder, The Brotherhood/Sister Sol
Zakiyah Ansari, Parent Organizer, Coalition for Educational Justice
Avram Barlowe, Teacher, Urban Academy Laboratory High School
…at New York University's Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, 10th floor auditorium
You can register and get more information here: http://edpanel.eventbrite.com/
February 28, 2012
happy birthday, Ship of Souls!
Ship of Souls is my third book in four years and I just wanted to take a moment to welcome it into the world! Another friend sent me some kind words this morning, and Doret has posted her review over at The Happy Nappy Bookseller. I'm taking my three classes to the African Burial Ground today but will try to find a moment to do something celebratory in advance of our launch party this Saturday.
I've been reading Ship of Souls each evening, and I really love your work. I think your writing is important. You're creating these E. Nesbit type stories, with classical themes of fantasy creatures helping children. But then placing it in Brooklyn, creating a magical-feeling urban space, creating richly-developed kids from backgrounds that are so different from most published books. I really don't know why other publishers have not been snapping you up. I will admit to spotting a few things that I might have talked about as an editor (though not many) – and one day I do hope we manage to work together. But overall, it's a smooth, engaging and resonant read. I look forward to my reading time each night – for as long as I can stay awake. And look forward to seeing what happens!
February 27, 2012
that's what friends are for…
Today was definitely feeling like Monday—until I got home from the park and found this email from a writer/friend:
Dr. Zetta Elliott:
I read SHIP OF SOULS the day after you gave it to me. What an amazing piece of writing! Everything works in it; fantasy, fable, magic, spiritualism, honor, loyalty, friendship, belief and faith, all underpinned by African AMERICAN history, legend and legacy. You easily invite and lead the reader into this fantastic and freakishly beautiful world! I love what you have done with this story. I think you have truly found your voice. This book should be noted with an NAACP Image Award, and the Rosa Parks Award, for it is a very important book, not only for the younger readers, or African American readers, but for all readers of all ages.
I applaud you, my dear friend! Keep it going!
NOW I can face this day! I'm so blessed when it comes to my circle of friends, especially since so many of them are artists themselves. Praise from a fellow writer means a lot…
February 26, 2012
tune in!
Tonight I'll be a guest on The Gist of Freedom, a web radio show with a focus on African American history founded by Lesley Gist. Tune in or call in if you'd like to join the conversation.
Yesterday at the African Burial Ground National Monument we had a fantastic conversation with Ranger Cyrus Forman about Catherine Ferguson, a formerly enslaved woman who founded the first Sunday School in NYC and adopted more than 40 orphans, black and white, to save them from the streets; she also knew from experience the challenges faced by unwed mothers and so worked to save them from scorn. Ferguson lived just a few blocks from where I teach (Warren Street), and I can't wait for my students to find out about NY's rich history when we visit the AFBG as a class this week.
Tomorrow I meet with the PR department at my college; there's a banner on the BMCC website announcing the launch of Ship of Souls at the AFBG next Saturday. I'm ordering the cake today—stop by and have a slice!
February 20, 2012
christening the ship
Ship of Souls has been getting some great reviews! We have a five-star review from the Vine program on Amazon.com, and Edi over at Crazy Quilts has paired her wonderful review with the top ten songs on the German pop chart!
Some authors are writers while others are storytellers. I think this short novel attests to Elliott's skills as both. The events flow flawlessly, without contradictions or miscues. Historic elements are woven into the story from the American Revolution to 9/11 which speak to the presence of so many ethnic groups in the creation of America and the historic misinterpretation of their contribution. Water, trees and birds are magical elements of nature that serve as portals between the physical world and other dimensions. And then there's Nyla and Keem, two supporting characters who are developed so well that we cannot help but wonder what more will happen to them, alone and/or together.
We also got a thoughtful review from Lyn Miller-Lachmann over at The Pirate Tree:
In contrast to many works of urban fantasy, Elliott concentrates less on world building and more on building the reader's emotional attachment to her characters, particularly her protagonist, D. If more authors of fantasy did the same, I would read more fantasy…This story will appeal especially to middle grade boys, who'll appreciate both the fast-paced adventure and the fact that the author has created a safe space to explore emotional issues experienced by many of her target readers.
The Pirate Tree will also run an interview with me later in the week. There was one 3-star review on Amazon from a teacher who said her reluctant reader couldn't get into it—and she didn't care for the book herself. Makes you wonder about the connection between a teacher's impression of a book and its chances in the hands of her students…
February 18, 2012
READ!
Have you done anything this month to participate in the African American Read-In? There's still time! Why not join Edi, Doret, and Vasilly—on Wednesday they'll be discussing Jewell Parker Rhodes' award-winning middle grade novel, Ninth Ward. You can find more information here.
If you're in Toronto, make sure you stop by the African Canadian Children's Literary Festival! I just discovered this event thanks to self-published author Angelot Ndongmo who is one of the festival presenters.
Lastly, my excellent week ended with a special delivery:
February 17, 2012
say it LOUD
After I finished my presentation this morning, a 4th-grade student who had been in the front row came up to me and tugged my sleeve.
HIM: Can I tell you something?
ME: Sure!
He leaned in close and I bent down so he could whisper in my ear…
HIM: I'm African!
ME: (excited) You ARE? That's wonderful. What part of Africa are you from?
HIM: (still speaking softly) Senegal.
ME: Wow! Tu parles francais aussi? (I had spoken a little French earlier in my presentation)
HIM: Yes.
ME: And do you speak Wolof as well?
HIM: (with a small smile) Yes.
ME: Wow–that means you can speak THREE languages. Good for you!
And then another child tugged at my arm and I tried to answer everyone else's questions before my time was up. I never have to wonder why I do what I do, why I write what I write…
PARTY!
Ship of Souls
You're invited to the official launch party for
Ship of Souls
, the latest novel for young readers by award-winning author, Zetta Elliott.Set in New York City, this unique blend of magical realism and history explores the quest for belonging, the power of friendship, and the value of loyalty.
Get a signed copy of the book, enjoy some refreshments, and learn more about the magical and historical events that inspired this incredible story!
March 3, 2012
1-3pm
at
The African Burial Ground National Monument
290 Broadway
(between Duane St. and Reade St.)
Need directions? http://www.nps.gov/afbg
Need more information? info@zettaelliott.com
