On episode 22 of the podcast, award-winning author, Ibi Zoboi is my guest. Ibi is the New York Times Bestselling author of the YA novel, American Street, which among other distinctions, was a National Book Award finalist. Ibi is the editor of the anthology Black Enough: Stories of Being Young and Black in America. She co-authored the Walter Award and L.A. Times Book Prize-winning novel-in-verse, Punching the Air, written with Exonerated Five member, Yusef Salaam. Her debut picture book, The People Remember, received a Coretta Scott King Honor Award. And her most recent books include Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler, Okoye to the People: A Black Panther Novel for Marvel, and her new novel, Nigeria Jones.
During our conversation, Ibi shares her unique journey to publishing success, as well as the sacrifices and compromises she had to make in order to get her foot in the door of the mainstream publishing industry. She also shares her experiences writing for a book packaging company early on in her career.
If you’re a fiction writer looking to break into the mainstream publishing industry, this is an important and informative episode to listen to and take notes.
Writing Resources Mentioned in this Episode
Ibi mentioned a lot of great resources within this episode. Here are a few you might want to check out.
BIPOC Writers, We Got You!
If you are a BIPOC woman writer looking for a supportive and active writing community, where we support and celebrate BIPOC women writers who want to get published and get paid, visit ReadWriteandCreate.com and click on the The Sanctuary tab.
You can also sign up for the Read, Write and Create newsletter, which is the first place where you’ll find out about my latest classes and creative offerings. Sign up on the Read, Write and Create website.
The RWC Gift Guide for BIPOC writers and readers was created for you! There are some really unique gifts listed on the guide that your writer and reader friends will love, plus the guide is not too long so you can quickly find the perfect gift and then get back to writing.
Be sure to visit The Read, Write and Create online bookshop, where you’ll find a whole shelf of books that make great gifts. You will also find the books of all of the guests who have appeared on the podcast highlighted there as well. Remember a purchase from our bookshop goes to support this podcast and independent booksellers everywhere.
We’ll be back in February. Until then, keep writing and keep creating. Happy Holidays!
Revolutionary Readers Book Club: Exile Music
Why Colorism Matters at this Moment
A Loving Day Message for Today's Turmoil
A Message for Today: How We Fight White Supremacy
Dear White People, You Have to Fix Your Racism Problem
Author Erin Entrada Kelly talks Diversity and Dreaming of Space
A Meltingpot Book Review: Girl, Woman, Other
How to Raise a Bilingual child
#BooksAreEssential in a Global Pandemic
DNA Travel, Multiracial Identity and Adoption
How to Be a Meltingpot Mom During a Global Pandemic
How to Move Abroad as a Multiracial Family
Stop Mis-Using the Word Multicultural!: A Rant
How to Live a Boldly Multicultural Life
Coronavirus Isn't an Excuse to be Racist and Stupid
Guess Who's Afraid of Interracial Relationships?
Rewind Episode: The Challenges of Traveling as a Multiracial Family
Rewind: How to Raise Confident Mixed-Race Kids
Rewind Episode: Can Technology be Racist?
Is Christmas for white people?
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Lit Society: Books and Drama
Ex Libris
Write The Book: Conversations on Craft
The War of the Worlds
The Count of Monte Cristo
Fresh Air
Myths and Legends