resist
Our anthology is here! Many thanks to Cheryl and Wade Hudson, founders of Just Us Books, for responding to the 2016 election and the devastating “Trump Effect” that is harming so many of our kids. I’m honored to be included in this collection of esteemed writers. I hope you’ll add it to your home, school, or public library.
In a few weeks I’ll be delivering my keynote at the Writer’s Digest IndieLAB conference in Cincinnati. I recently did an interview for WD, which you can read here. The last question asked me to give a preview of my talk and here’s what I said:
I want to encourage people to think of storytelling as much more than a way to make money. Sharing your story can be therapeutic, empowering, educational—it isn’t always about selling thousands of books. In most cultures, stories are meant to connect people; it’s a way of building and maintaining community. So when I look at the current industry and consider all the voices that are being excluded, I have to wonder what that does to our ability to relate to one another. This is a nation of dreamers and I think our communities would be stronger if more of us found the courage to share our unique stories.
We’re suffering through a heatwave here in Philly. I try to run early in the morning and today decided to walk to Trader Joe’s to get my steps in—big mistake. I wore my new “Professional Black Girl” t-shirt that came in my Sisters in Education Circle swag bag, and it was soaked (and possibly sheer) by the time I reached the store. When I got to the checkout, the Black cashier immediately complimented me on my shirt—despite the sweat!—and we got to talking about the hot weather, my recent move to Philly, and how I write books for kids. She’s expecting her first and so I gave her one of my postcards and she immediately took out a pen and started circling the book covers that interested her. It’s those kinds of encounters that make me glad I do what I do. And I’m learning to focus on what matters—not how gross and sweaty I felt/looked but how warm and friendly Danielle was. Thinking I’ll take a couple books with me the next time I need groceries…
