When asked how she thinks her book, Soul Vagina: In Between Sex and God, Who Am I? will be received for years and generations to come, Nomxolisi Ndlangana carefully considers the question before answering, “Depending on which part of the world we’re talking about…this is a book that might be banned. And if that is the case, then I have done something very right.” Ndlangana, known as Nono The Poet, … Read the rest
As a children’s publishing professional and author, among Andrea Davis Pinkney‘s creative processes is directly conversing with that audience–children– about books. “They tell me they like stories with heart,” she says. Heart, in fact, is definitely Pinkney’s approach to her craft. The Vice President, Executive Editor of Trade Books at Scholastic has worked in publishing for more than 30 years. “Time flies when you’re having fun,” Pinkney cheerfully remarks.
She … Read the rest
Dr. Ashley Denmark wrote and published her first book Olivia’s Doctor Adventures, illustrated by Mike Motz, to help introduce youth to medicine and hopefully inspire them to pursue a career in the field. Her own inspiration for the picture book is her 6-year-old daughter, Olivia. In fact, it was Olivia who suggested her mother write it in the first place.
In addition to being a mother (she has … Read the rest
So Booking Cool recently had the pleasure of speaking with debut co-authors Charli Hodge, 11, and Octavia Samuels, 37, about their picture book, Hello Beautiful Brown Girl. The self-published work is intended to celebrate and empower young girls of color around the world. What’s more is, Hodge and Samuels, based in Georgia, are an auntie and niece duo who sold beyond their expectations on their release day.… Read the rest
Award-winning and now New York Times bestselling author, Tayari Jones, is currently on tour in support of her new novel, An American Marriage. The love story centers on a newlywed couple, Celestial and Roy, whose marriage is ultimately tested when Roy is sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Celestial believes her husband to be innocent, but is it enough to remain devoted to him during his extensive absence? … Read the rest
Angie Thomas, debut author of the bestselling young adult novel, The Hate U Give, is gearing up for her next release, On the Come Up. The hotly anticipated novel is about 16-year-old Bri, an aspiring rapper (it runs in her family, as her father was an underground rapper on the brink of major success until his death) whose passion for conquering the rap world intensifies once her … Read the rest
Debut author and #PitchWars mentor Kellye Garrett chatted with us about her new critically-acclaimed comedic, mystery novel, Hollywood Homicide, the first in her Detective by Day series. The title was a Library Journal Debut of the Month and Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review and lauded it as a winning first novel and series launch. The book was published by Midnight Ink, which specializes in mystery and … Read the rest
Entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and now author, Katrina Walker spoke with So Booking Cool about her book Unbreakable: The Katrina Walker story. The riveting memoir details the journey of a young girl originally from Ohio who grows up in Tennessee during a height of racial tension (she remembers when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated and how her community reacted) and overcomes being a teen bride and mother, homelessness, and … Read the rest
Today we had the pleasure of talking to Tamara McNeil, the founder of Just Like Me! Box, a monthly subscription that delivers 2-3 books in urban children’s literature to families. Get to know Tamara, the inspiration behind her company, the types of books she delivers and looks for in submissions, as well as why she is reluctant to expand her market to young adult fiction.
For more information on Just … Read the rest
On Monday, we had the pleasure of interviewing the acquiring editor and social media manager of Fiyah Lit Magazine, a new publication that publishes black speculative fiction. Check out the interview below to hear how the magazine got started, why Brent and his team focus on black literary fiction, inspiring words, and more!
For more information on Fiyah Lit Magazine, visit http://www.fiyahlitmag.com… Read the rest
