What a gift is it to be surrounded by others artists–and by people who appreciate our art! Yesterday, as I sat on a stalled Brooklyn subway train for 45 minutes, I wasn’t even sure I would make it to Philly for the 17th Annual African American Children’s Book Fair…but the universe was on my side! I reached Penn Station at 9:06, and learned our 9:09 train was delayed. Shadra very kindly slipped me some Dayquil cold tablets, and I only sneezed a handful of times throughout the day. The fair itself was a little overwhelming…on Friday I had done a reading & writing workhsop at the Macon Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, which was just wonderful–really nice children from the Crispus Attucks School, a great teacher and supportive parent-helper, and not a kleenex in sight–I thought I was cured! Then came home and got really ill again…but I *had* to make it to the fair–where else would I be able to meet 20 black authors and illustrators, and countless young readers? We arrived early, sat in our assigned location, and before too long, other authors/illustrators arrived and then the children and parents wound their way around the gym in an orderly line. There was a book giveaway, so many children proudly placed their copy of BIRD on the table so that Shadra and I could write an inscription. It got a little hectic after a while, but that’s just because I’m an HSP (highly sensitive person) and the noise level coupled with an emcee on the mic calling out raffle ticket numbers started to give me a headache after a while. But the fair ended around 3:30 and then we headed out in search of food…that was the best part of my day–sitting around a table, breaking bread (or naan) with other authors and illustrators. E.B. Lewis and his friend led us to a nice Indian restaurant, and we immediately got into a lively debate about the prospects for black artists in the publishing industry. I’m not so optimistic, of course, but it was good to hear the point of view of several established artists (Shadra Strickland, Cozbi A. Cabrera, Tonya Cherie Hegamin). E.B. graciously picked up the tab, and we parted ways, but the girls weren’t ready to call it quits just yet–Tonya drove us to the train station and we reconvened around cups of tea and cocoa…what IS ambition? What do we really WANT for our art, our selves, our readers, our futures…we could have talked all night long, but then noticed our train was about to leave, so we parted ways (after snapping some fabulous photos!) and hopped on the train back to NYC. The conversation continued, of course, this time touching more on family, and origins, and the ways we’ve learned to create success in our lives…I’m still not sure about my future in publishing. I hate the hustle involved in self-publishing, but don’t know how to find an agent who’s a thinking, feeling person and not just about the money. Because the money’s not what’s most important to me.
Ok, let me close with a few announcements: The Brown Bookshelf is working through their wonderful tribute to 28 black authors and illustrators, and mine was posted on 2/7–check it out. An award-winning African Canadian author, George Elliott Clarke, has posted a great review of my memoir, Stranger in the Family, in The Chronicle Herald–check that out, too! And finally, don’t forget to enter Color Online‘s weekly contest, Potpourri, where the answer to a question about a black woman author could win you a prize! Enjoy the rest of your weekend–I hope you have sunshine wherever you are!
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