We previously interviewed A. J. about Ellen Outside the Lines here. By A. J. Sass When my proposal for my sophomore novel, Ellen Outside the Lines, sold, I cycled through a mix of emotions. I was thrilled to get to write another book, of course, but I was also nervous. Although I am autistic … [Read more...] about Balancing Authentic and Accessible: A. J. Sass on Autistic Representation in Ellen Outside the Lines
personal essay
Nepantla and Writing Latinx Characters
Time Villains by Victor Piñeiro is on sale now. By Victor Piñeiro “Dolly was un-com-FOR-ta-ble.” I wasn’t pronouncing it, I was speaking it. Mrs. Brown and the other four students in my kindergarten reading group snickered. “What did he say?” I’d been reading at home since I was three, but … [Read more...] about Nepantla and Writing Latinx Characters
Writing YA as Freedom
Things We Couldn't Say is out now. By Jay Coles Once upon a time, my high school guidance counselor told me that my voice was my power. I admit, I had no idea what that really meant then—and I didn’t know what it meant when I started writing my debut, either. That was something that had to be … [Read more...] about Writing YA as Freedom
Skin Deeper: On Publishing A Sister Novel 20 Years Later
By Sharon G. Flake The first book I ever published was The Skin I’m In. The first editor to read it was the one who purchased it. The Skin I’m In went on to win awards and become a classic, read in thousands of classrooms around the world, selected by book clubs, and written about in Ph.D. … [Read more...] about Skin Deeper: On Publishing A Sister Novel 20 Years Later
Making a Joyful Noise Through Writing
By Ashley Franklin 2020 is a year that has certainly taken away more from many of us than it has given. During a time when we have lost friends, loved ones, stability, and sometimes our peace of mind, it seems like a tall order to talk about joy. Yet, here I am, on a quest to continue capturing … [Read more...] about Making a Joyful Noise Through Writing
How Young Adult Literature Can Help Biracial Teens Find Themselves
By Ismée Williams One of the reasons I love to read YA fiction is that the characters resonate. They face the same struggles of the human experience we all face, struggles we remember, one of the most important of which is figuring out where you belong—finding your place and your pack. This can … [Read more...] about How Young Adult Literature Can Help Biracial Teens Find Themselves
Celebrating Eid at Home Through Children’s Literature
By Shireen Hakim Even as an anti-social introvert, it was difficult to be isolated from the community during Ramadan 2020, which ran from April 23 to May 23. It is the most joyous month for Muslims and we strive to pray, greet, and feed one another to gain extra blessings and feelings of … [Read more...] about Celebrating Eid at Home Through Children’s Literature
What Does It Mean to See Your Full Self on the Page?
by medina As a child, I loved words. I was adopted when I was two and a half years old from Honduras and I found all things American fascinating, especially the English language. English words stuck to the roof of my mouth like fudge. I chewed them soft and taught them how to form shapes that … [Read more...] about What Does It Mean to See Your Full Self on the Page?
How to Write a Compelling Personal Narrative
By Elissa Bongornio Writing a personal essay for publication—or perhaps to apply for the Creative Writing Awards!—can require digging deep and thinking a lot about yourself. How best to tackle the topic of you in a compelling way? And just what are the differences between college application … [Read more...] about How to Write a Compelling Personal Narrative
