The Literature of Witness
The importance of #ownvoices authors and their literature of witness for a new generation of African-American teens as we confront a nation in crisis.
I Cut the Cord
Where I cancel my cable TV service after the company jacked up my rates. Because large corporations are not our friends.
I’m Going to AWP!
A preview of my two accepted panels at the February 2017 conference of AWP, the Association of Writers and Writing Programs.
The Diversity Baseline Study: First Step to Progress?
A discussion of the recently released Diversity Baseline Survey, why it's important, and the next steps.
Coming to a Conference Near You! (If You’re in the Twin Cities, That Is)
My three presentations at the NCTE conference and ALAN workshop in Minneapolis, all focusing on aspects of diversity in books for young readers.
On Flags and Diverse Books: How We Can Make a Difference
The removal of the Confederate flag from the Capitol grounds in South Carolina and an open letter to Jet Blue underscore the power of activism.
Surviving Santiago Is Launched!
Last Thursday was my official book launch party for Surviving Santiago at the Lower East Side bookstore Bluestockings, ranked one of the top destinations in the Not For Tourists Illustrated Guide to New York City.
A We Need Diverse Books Weekend
A report on two events involving #WeNeedDiverseBooks, one focusing on young adult fiction, the other a picture book about a woman environmentalist in the Gambia
A Big Boost for #WeNeedDiverseBooks
An update on an ongoing and increasingly successful fundraising campaign for #WeNeedDiverseBooks that will create new opportunities for writers of color.
Supporting Kid Lit Equality
Last spring #WeNeedDiverseBooks came into being as a result of the lack of progress in diversifying the children's publishing industry, as exemplified by a major BookCon panel that featured only…