Tonya Duncan Ellis's Blog, page 3

Sneak Peek- Illustrations from THEY BUILT ME FOR FREEDOM: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston’s Emancipation Park

My debut picture book, THEY BUILT ME FOR FREEDOM: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston’s Emancipation Park, releases in May 2024 through HarperCollins, Balzer + Bray. Illustrator Jenin Mohammed is putting finishing touches on her amazing images, and I couldn’t be prouder of the visuals.

The book chronicles the history of Emancipation Park, the oldest park in Houston and Texas, purchased by formerly enslaved leaders in Houston’s historic Third Ward to celebrate Juneteenth. During the Jim Crow era, Emancipation Park was the only park available to African Americans in the area. The park has been a gathering place for Civil Rights protests.

Preorder THEY BUILT ME FOR FREEDOM HERE.

Tonya Duncan Ellis

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author THEY BUILT ME FOR FREEDOM: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston’s Emancipation Park and the bestselling, award-winning, Sophie Washington chapter book series and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Authors Guild, Black Creators in KidLit and the Brown Bookshelf’s Highlights Foundation Sponsored Amplify Black Stories storyteller cohort.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
Like Us on Facebook: @tonyaellisbooks
Follow Us on Twitter: @tonyaDEllis
Follow Us on Instagram: @tonyaellisbooks
Join my email list for a FREE gift! HERE

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160 Sophie Washington Books Donated to Houston’s S.H.A.P.E. Community Center

Thank you Jack and Jill of America’s South Central Region for including Sophie Washington books in your donations. Over 2,300 books were distributed to youth organizations during Jack and Jill’s Area Work Day event in October, including 160 books from the Sophie Washington series, which went to children at Houston’s S.H.A.P.E. Community Center.

Tonya Duncan Ellis

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of THEY BUILT ME FOR FREEDOM: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston’s Emancipation Park and the award-winning SOPHIE WASHINGTON chapter book series and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Authors Guild, Black Creators in KidLit and the Brown Bookshelf’s Highlights Foundation Sponsored Amplify Black Stories storyteller cohort.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
Like Us on Facebook: @tonyaellisbooks
Follow Us on Twitter: @tonyaDEllis
Follow Us on Instagram: @tonyaellisbooks
Join my email list for a FREE gift! HERE

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Write This! Author Interview Show Surpasses 50 Episodes

My Write This! author interview show recently surpassed 50 episodes! Over the past couple of years I’ve had a blast interviewing award-winning, and a couple of New York Times bestselling, children’s authors, illustrators and publishing professionals, including Janae Marks (From the Desk of Zoe Washington), Varsha Bajaj (Thirst), Alice Faye Duncan (Coretta’s Journey), Shamar Knight-Justice (Big Tune), Brittany J. Thurman (Fly) and more.

The Instagram Live interviews have had a few bloopers, such as trouble logging on, dropped phones, and one guest’s nosebleed! Through all the mishaps we’ve continued with the interviews, sharing tips about writing and marketing children’s books. I’ve learned tons through the show and welcome anyone wanting pro tips on improving their author business to review prior episodes.

Check out past Write This! episodes HERE.

Tonya Duncan Ellis

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of THEY BUILT ME FOR FREEDOM: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston’s Emancipation Park and the award-winning Sophie Washington chapter book series and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Authors Guild, Black Creators in KidLit and the Brown Bookshelf’s Highlights Foundation Sponsored Amplify Black Stories storyteller cohort.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
Like Us on Facebook: @tonyaellisbooks
Follow Us on Twitter: @tonyaDEllis
Follow Us on Instagram: @tonyaellisbooks
Join my email list for a FREE gift! HERE

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Tonya Duncan Ellis Talks Children’s Publishing and School Visits With Joanna Penn

Want to learn about publishing for children and doing profitable school visits? Check out my interview on my all-time favorite podcast The Creative Penn. UK-based host, Joanna Penn and I discuss working with illustrators, creating multiple streams of income, school visits and more during the one-hour chat. Joanna asked so many insightful questions that encouraged me to dig deep while sharing my business practices.

I consider her an unofficial mentor because I learned so much about self-publishing and book marketing from religiously listening to her podcast and audio books when I started out. She’s like my secret weapon and personal Mary Poppins. A veteran author and advocate for indies, Joanna’s the true self-publishing G.O.A.T!

Check out her podcasts and author materials for tons of valuable self-publishing info. Listen to our interview HERE.

Tonya Duncan Ellis

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the bestselling, award winning Sophie Washington children’s book series, geared toward readers ages 8-12 and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Authors Guild, Black Creators in KidLit and the Brown Bookshelf’s Highlights Foundation Sponsored Amplify Black Stories storyteller cohort.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
Like Us on Facebook: @tonyaellisbooks
Follow Us on Twitter: @tonyaDEllis
Follow Us on Instagram: @tonyaellisbooks
Join my email list for a FREE gift! HERE

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Houston Fights Back Against District’s Plans to Turn School Libraries Into Detention Centers

“We got to fight back! We got to fight back! Fight back! Fight back!”

I joined librarians, teachers, parents, and community leaders in chants, protesting the largest school district in Texas’ plans to convert public school libraries into detention centers. Passions ran as hot as the sweltering heat as hundreds converged at a HISD headquarters parking lot to make their voices heard.

“The idea of turning a library into a detention room is nuts!” Harris County Commissioner, Rodney Ellis, called from the podium. “Here’s what I say not only to the superintendent, but to the board. Would any of you put your children in a school that doesn’t have a library?”

At author visits, I tell youngsters how visiting the library encouraged me to read and reach for the stars as a child. Houston’s superintendent’s scheme to turn libraries into “Team Centers” that will house students with disciplinary problems, essentially transforms a place of learning and dreaming into a pipeline to prison. At least 28 campuses are eliminating librarians and media specialist positions. HISD serves more than 189,000 students.

Students and parents shared disappointment that places of refuge and inspiration are being taken away. Librarians and community leaders highlighted the political implications of removing resources for those who have the least, as affected schools are in low-income areas. HISD was taken over by the state recently, so the changes are being made by non-elected officials.

I’m happy to play a small role in this fight that impacts our future. I will continue to support our schools and librarians in any way I can. Libraries open doors for our youth, and the education and knowledge they afford is the pathway to success!

Tonya Duncan Ellis

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the bestselling, award winning Sophie Washington children’s book series, geared toward readers ages 8-12 and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Authors Guild, Black Creators in KidLit and the Brown Bookshelf’s Highlights Foundation Sponsored Amplify Black Stories storyteller cohort.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
Like Us on Facebook: @tonyaellisbooks
Follow Us on Twitter: @tonyaDEllis
Follow Us on Instagram: @tonyaellisbooks
Join my email list for a FREE gift! HERE

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Sophie Washington: Treasure Beach Featured in Kirkus Reviews!!

SOPHIE WASHINGTON: TREASURE BEACH is featured in Kirkus Reviews! This is a great honor, since just 10% of reviewed, independently published books are included in the magazine!

SOPHIE WASHINGTON: TREASURE BEACH is the 13th book in the Sophie Washington chapter book series. In this adventure a message in a bottle leads Sophie and friends on a seaside treasure hunt. It’s summertime, and a surprise discovery on a day out at the beach takes them on a quest for riches. During their search, the kids snorkel, encounter endangered sea turtles, visit a World War II warship, and learn that honesty and true friendship are worth more than gold.

Buy on Amazon, tonyaduncanellis.com, Barnesandnoble.com and fine booksellers everywhere!

Tonya Duncan Ellis

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the bestselling, award winning Sophie Washington children’s book series, geared toward readers ages 8-12 and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Authors Guild, Black Creators in KidLit and the Brown Bookshelf’s Highlights Foundation Sponsored Amplify Black Stories storyteller cohort.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
Like Us on Facebook: @tonyaellisbooks
Follow Us on Twitter: @tonyaDEllis
Follow Us on Instagram: @tonyaellisbooks
Join my email list for a FREE gift! HERE

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Congratulations We Need Diverse Books Black Creatives Mentees

CONGRATULATIONS to the newest We Need Diverse Books Black Creatives mentees!! I’m super excited to work with my mentee Micheal Anderson!

This year’s cohort includes:
Micheal Anderson
Phoebe Angaye
Shantal Dea
Valorie Bridges Fant
Johari Mitchell
Janae Newsom 
Sasha Thomas
JaVon Townsend

These outstanding creators will polish their manuscripts with our faculty, and expand their knowledge and networks with various professional development opportunities.

Read more about the mentees and the program HERE.

Tonya Duncan Ellis

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the bestselling, award winning Sophie Washington children’s book series, geared toward readers ages 8-12 and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Authors Guild, Black Creators in KidLit and the Brown Bookshelf’s Highlights Foundation Sponsored Amplify Black Stories storyteller cohort.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
Like Us on Facebook: @tonyaellisbooks
Follow Us on Twitter: @tonyaDEllis
Follow Us on Instagram: @tonyaellisbooks
Join my email list for a FREE gift! HERE

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Big Fun at Fort Bend ISD Bookapalooza

I had big fun at Houston’s Fort Bend Independent School District’s Bookapalooza. The free one day event included incredible author presentations, cosplay, and all kinds of other bookish activities. I was assigned two presentations, and in-between, had a great time networking with new and old author friends.

The festivities kicked off with an author dinner the day prior, where we socialized and talked about the state of children’s literature and the publishing industry. I was thrilled to meet and get an autograph from award winning author, Derrick Barnes. His NYT bestseller, I Am Every Good Thing, is one of favorite picture books. I also met poet Van Garrett, author of the picture book, Kicks, and several other talented authors and our FBISD librarian hosts.

The next morning got off to a great start when I ran into my mentor, author Crystal Allen (The Magnificent Mya Tibbs), in the hospitality room, and saw other author friends, including Cathey Nickell (Arthur Zarr’s Amazing Art Car), Liara Tamani (All the Things We Never Knew, Calling My Name) and Varsha Bajaj (Thirst, Count Me In).

Derrick Barnes gave an inspiring keynote that touched on how he began writing books for children and his incredible rise after years of waiting for his big break with his Newbery award-winning book, Crown.

In my breakout room I shared my author journey and gave information about my Sophie Washington chapter book series and upcoming picture book, They Built Me for Freedom (HarperCollins Balzer+Bray, 2024). A few who stopped by were familiar with my series, and a couple fans said they have Sophie Washington tee shirts!

Afterwards, I stuck around for Van Garret’s presentation and was amazed to see the intricate details in his picture book, Kicks, and excited to learn about his upcoming release, Juneteenth, that includes images of an amazing Galveston, TX mural of the holiday’s history. I visited the site last year and remarked that a book needed to be written about the mural, which is located on the site where enslaved people learned they were free. Van and I plan to partner on marketing activities once They Built Me for Freedom releases in 2024, since my book also talks about the history of Juneteenth.

From the time the Bookapalooza started visitors seemed to be having a ball throughout the bustling school. I was giddy myself and felt so grateful to be included in this amazing event. Until next year!

Tonya Duncan Ellis

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the bestselling, award winning Sophie Washington children’s book series, geared toward readers ages 8-12 and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Authors Guild, Black Creators in KidLit and the Brown Bookshelf’s Highlights Foundation Sponsored Amplify Black Stories storyteller cohort.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
Like Us on Facebook: @tonyaellisbooks
Follow Us on Twitter: @tonyaDEllis
Follow Us on Instagram: @tonyaellisbooks
Join my email list for a FREE gift! HERE

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Fabulous Day at TLA! The 2023 Texas Library Association Conference

I had a fabulous day at the Texas Library Association’s 2023 Conference! It was great to promote my Sophie Washington series to librarians from across the country and get books signed by my favorite authors.

Librarians lined up to enter the convention center before it opened at 10 a.m. The excitement in the air was electric. It was like they were waiting for limited concert tickets! I could relate. Once the doors opened everyone rushed in. Their favorite authors are like rock stars to the librarians and other book nerds, like me!

I exhibited at SCBWI Austin’s table and was happy to interact with new readers from across the country and network with author peers. It was great to meet my book signing agent, Carole Weitzel of Authors and More in person and also to see Bethany Hegedus of the Writing Barn. Bethany selected one of my manuscripts for the Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentor Award a few years ago. This led to me securing a literary agent and my first major book deal with HaperCollins Balzer + Bray for my upcoming book, They Built Me for Freedom, so I’m eternally grateful to her!

In between my own exhibit time I was able to fan girl and interact with some of my author favorites like NYT bestselling authors, Kwame Alexander and Nic Stone and Samantha Clark, Anne Wynter, David Bowles, Traci Sorrell and more!

This was a day I’ll definitely never forget! I wish I could have stayed longer because there were many other fabulous authors in attendance that I wanted to meet and greet with, but didn’t have time to. I can’t wait to return to TLA next year in San Antonio!

Tonya Duncan Ellis

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the bestselling, award winning Sophie Washington children’s book series, geared toward readers ages 8-12 and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Authors Guild, Black Creators in KidLit and the Brown Bookshelf’s Highlights Foundation Sponsored Amplify Black Stories storyteller cohort.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
Like Us on Facebook: @tonyaellisbooks
Follow Us on Twitter: @tonyaDEllis
Follow Us on Instagram: @tonyaellisbooks
Join my email list for a FREE gift! HERE

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Back Again: Highlights of My Second Highlights Retreat

They say it’s never as good as the first time, but my second experience at the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center was as magical as my first one! This time I took a personal retreat, sponsored by a The Brown Bookshelf Highlights scholarship, rather than participating in a structured course.

It was a wonderful three days of resetting and reenergizing as a creative and getting started on some new projects. I was also able to network with other talented and inspiring writers on property, which is always a plus.

My adventure started on Tuesday when I checked into my cozy cabin. I was excited to find a copy of Stephen King’s craft book/memoir, On Writing, on a bookshelf next to my bed. I’ve been meaning to read it for eons and was happy to dive in. Too worn out from travel to write, (My flight left my home in Houston at 6 a.m., and I arrived around 3 p.m.) I started the memoir that afternoon and finished the next morning. It was a fantastic read, and I’m amazed I focused and completed it so quickly. Usually I doze off when I start on craft books, but there’s something invigorating and magical in the Highlights air!

That evening, I enjoyed snacks at the nightly happy hour before a delicious dinner and met a few of the other authors on property. A couple of groups were there for personal retreats that they’d organized. One has been meeting at Highlights for fifteen years and the other has come for six years. Many of these authors are award-winning (Kristy Dempsey, Heidi Stemple, Kristi Call) and have multiple, published books.

I read a bit by this idyllic brook.

Through Wednesday morning and early afternoon I started and completed the first chapter on a new middle grade novel and got down some ideas for a new picture book. Before dinner, Angele McQuade, a life coach as well as non-fiction and children’s author, hosted a fabulous one-hour, “Your 2023 Reset,” reflection session, which got me thinking about my accomplishments to date, my future goals and what I need to do to achieve them.

On Thursday, I did more writing and completed a couple of activities on a virtual Lyrical Language Lab poetry course I’d signed up for. The time flew by, and I was sad when it was time to pack up to leave after breakfast on Friday. On my next trip I’d like to stay at least four nights. I was on property for a full five days on my first trip and that was ideal. Until next time Highlights!

Tonya Duncan Ellis

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the bestselling, award winning Sophie Washington children’s book series, geared toward readers ages 8-12 and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Authors Guild, Black Creators in KidLit and the Brown Bookshelf’s Highlights Foundation Sponsored Amplify Black Stories storyteller cohort.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
Like Us on Facebook: @tonyaellisbooks
Follow Us on Twitter: @tonyaDEllis
Follow Us on Instagram: @tonyaellisbooks
Join my email list for a FREE gift! HERE

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