Last week, Malaika's Costume illustrator Irene Luxbacher and I met for the first time.  Typically when a book gets written by the author (and the manuscript is out of your hands), the publisher then works with the illustrator.  Other than befriending my illustrator on facebook a year ago, I had almost no contact with Irene and when or if I did, it was introductory. 

Did I have an idea of what Malaika's Costume could or might look like?  Definitely.  Words, music, and pictures were in my imagination as I tell this story.  It is true that I am an aspiring illustrator and I did have some preliminary sketches going into the book.  Essentially, although not easy at first, I let go of my Malaika's Costume manuscript to some extent with the trust that it was in good hands with my publisher Groundwood Books and that this story would need to become the illustrator's too.  I know the Malaika story intimately.  But Irene (and the Groundwood crew) would need to dream, connect with, and envision this book too.  I had to allow that to happen. So as do most traditionally-published picture books the author and illustrators work on a book separately.  The publisher works in the middle.  Yet somehow it all works together to produce a beautiful book.  Magic!

Do authors and illustrators of the same picture book ever meet?  Typically a publisher does not set up a  meeting between authors and illustrators.  Often authors and illustrators of books never meet (ever) until they are on a stage somewhere doing a reading or accepting a prize or award for their book. #*$% that!  WHY wait so long if distance is not issue?  And if you live in the same city, WHY not meet beforehand?  That's what I say.  You already have been on different journeys to create the same story in words and pictures and bring it to print (independently of each other), so why not meet to discuss it?  So that's what Irene and I did.  We met for tea at a Toronto cafe.  It was a nice time.  We talked about our lives, imagination, immigration, inspirations, and of course illustrations.  (This is reminding me of Jill Scott's song Long Walk where in the chorus she lists all of the things that she can talk about... conversation, verbal relations, stimulation, situation, temptation, hesitation, relaxation, elevation.  Favourite karaoke song.  Gosh!  I can't believe it's already 9 years old.) We also talked about how we each emotionally-connected with Malaika, the character, and her story and the immigration experiences in both our families.

Irene is not only an illustrator but she is an accomplished painter and arts educator.  I fell in love with her paintings which I describe as an intense use of colours and whimsy and imaginatio.  She somehow captures light so it emits from a page and I feel it in my stomach (it's gutteral), it's emotional,... Each of her illustrated books are unique and do not resemble the next one.  When Sheila Barry, my publisher at Groundwood, asked me if I knew any illustrators (other than myself LOL), I did my own search "high and low" for someone with who works in mixed media (art creation with a mix  of different materials, e.g. paint, digital, papers, objects, textiles) at the top of the list and I did have one I really liked.  When Sheila suggested Irene, it was another intuitive decision (and a feeling in my heart) that she was the one-- the artist to tell my story.  I thought, if Irene could take the emotional intensity that I felt lookinig at her paintings and bring it to Malaika's Costume, this book would be quite special.   

I am looking forward to the Malaika's Costume publication date on March 1st, 2016-- just a few short days away.  The launch for Malaika's Costume will take place on Saturday, March 5, 2016 2-4pm-- in less than a week-- at A Different Booklist bookstore in Toronto.  Come celebrate with us!  I can't wait for more opportunities to work with Irene in our future presentations, as well as illustrations for the Malaika's Costume sequel out in Fall 2017.

Launching three books (my first three books) within a two week period is no joke.  It's kind of crazy and unreal.  How did I manage to have all three books launch within this time frame?  I am not sure.  Perhaps this is all part of the divine order of things.  I'd like to think so.  It wasn't supposed to happen this way, at least, that's not how it planned out when I signed the contracts but my discussion of the book contracts with Rubicon for the Sankofa books and with Groundwood for Malaika... also began around the same too (late 2013/early 2014).  The publication dates set by the publishers can change or shift which is exactly what happened with the Sankofa series... and hence, I present to you A Tale of Two Book Launches... Or My Life Over The Craziest Two Weeks of My Life.

On February 19, my first two books- Music and Media- in the fifteen-book Sankofa series launched at the Reading for the Love Of It Conference in Toronto, Ontario. Rubicon Publishing Inc. created a gorgeous display for the books.   Being Black History/African Liberation Month and all, the teachers came to our booth #101 at the Sheraton Hotel Conference Centre between 12 noon and 1 pm to to meet us, the authors of the series, to get autographs, and to receive a copy of one of the books. 

Here's some information about the Sankofa series, taken directly from the Rubicon website:

SANKOFA is a contemporary literacy resource for all students in Grades 4 to 8. 
Multi-Genre Anthologies:

• Each book is written by an author of African descent.
• The introductory spread features an essential question to introduce the theme and topic of the book to students.
• Each book includes a variety of genres, including primary documents reader’s theatre, biographies, essays, fiction, and poetry.
• Each book features both historical and contemporary content, identifying past and present views of the African Canadian experience.
• A variety of communities will be featured across the three books in each grade.

Typically this type of "launch", or any event for that matter, does not take place for a non-fiction educational text. However, Sankofa is unique and it was decided that this was an excellent way to introduce this series to the public.

At first, I found this experience, my first launch where I was presenting my work, overwhelming as there were so many "moving parts".  There were a mix of authors, Rubicon staff, and a lot of teachers coming to the booth for a book giveaway but then I soon found myself "jumping in" and effortlessly interacting with the teachers along with the other authors and Rubicon staff.  It was nice to speak to teachers and make suggestions to them based on the subjects and grade levels they teach, as well as what I covered in my Music and Media.  It was also interesting to be part of "an ensemble cast"-- the authors of the rest of the books in the series-- who most of which I was meeting for the first time. 

The reception by the teachers was for the most part welcomed (other than one teacher who was not convinced that the books could be adapted for kindergarten, refused to take a sample book.  Imagine?). It is February and often teachers make "a mad scramble" to get material, guest speakers, and resources to meet "Black History Month" objectives.  to address the grade levels, subjects, and topics they teach.  I loved this opportunity to connect my professional and my writing knowledge in one space.  I also enjoyed the opportunity to meet many of the writers of this series.  After the "launch", the writers, editor Amy Rand, Rubicon Publishing president Margaret Goh, other staff, and I had a delicious lunch at Frank restaurant where we shared thoughts, stories, and information.  Overall it was a nice day.

I can't wait for the Sankofa Teacher Resources and the US version to come out.

"A now you're in New York.  Concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there's nothing you can't do... The streets will make you feel brand new, the lights will inspire you."

Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys in 'Empire State of Mind'

I took New York City by storm.  From February 12-14, I attended the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) 17th Annual Conference in New York City.  What an exciting opportunity to connect with old friends, meet new ones, and network.  Last year, I went to the conference (which was at that time my first SCBWI even), not knowing what to expect, with only my anticipated titles on the horizon and my portfolio (which I almost removed from the showcase but so glad I didn't).  But 2016 was different.  I arrived at SCBWI NYC, armed with books in hand and I was more selective about what I participated in.  As a newly published and conference-seasoned author, I felt ready to "dive in" and have my writing critiqued by a group of strangers.  I attended a workshop on writing sellable middle grade novels (for my manuscript that I finished) and another one agents.  (Given that I write and publish in Canada, having an agent is not necessarily a requirement for publication or even access to a publisher.  However, in the United States, this seems to be the way it works to "elbow" your manuscript through the slush pile and into the hands of an editor who can select your work.  When I speak to the Canadian authors and illustrators who have agents, they discuss at as a way to ensure that they can become "career writers" or "career illustrators". You know what I mean?)  This year, I also kept my illustration portfolio at home and tried to focus on the writer in me (but I do love and "miss me" some nice illustrations and got that faint wistful feeling during the illustration portfolio showcase.  There's always next time.)  Until then, I can savour the wonderful experience that was the SCBWI NYC Conference.  The highlight of my weekend was spending "a good chunk of time" with one of my favourite authors, one of my I-read-her-books-since-I-was-in-high-school-and-basically-everything-she's-published authors, none other than Rita Williams-Garcia.  I taped various aspects of our chat as I learned so much and I wanted to remember these chats and play them back, especially the moment I showed Ms. Williams-Garcia a copy of my first upcoming picture book, Malaika's Costume.  She absolutely loved it and really knows how to appreciate a good picture book (mine!).  At some point, I will share that video but for now Imma' jus' watch it whenever I get in the "writing doldrums" or have some existential crisis.  For now, check out my SCBWI NYC 2016 slideshow. 

       On Thursday, February 11, 2016, I arrived in New York City to attend the SCBWI NYC Conference.  Being a teacher/author/performer/aspiring illustrator/hustler, I always try to get two (or three or more things) done in one trip to the US.  So when I was invited to do a school visit, I said yes!  I had the pleasure of presenting at my first school visit to promote Malaika's Costume.  I visited the kindergarten students and staff at Hunter College Elementary School.  Hunter College is a gifted public school located in Manhattan, New York.  The 50 students were keen to listen, inquisitive, and adorable.  As they first entered the room, this was really happening and became real FAST.  I was living my dream!  The presentation took place in the elementary school library where the children sat looking up at me.  The adults-- parents, teachers, and a librarian-- were all eyes and ears, too.  I was so glad that on the plane and in the cab from the airport, I began to think of a few things to add to this presentation.  It was supposed to be "just a reading" but then I realized, it could be, and it should be much more.  I thought of the New York City children and the fact that many of them live within the city and most have never been to or seen a Caribbean Carnival (although I know there is one in Brooklyn, New York on Labour Day Weekend but these are kindergarteners).  How do I make this experience real for them?  Thankfully, I brought my laptop full of photos that I took at the Toronto Kiddie Carnival in 2015.  I got to share these photos with a projector, a screen, and Destra's "It's Carnival" playing in the background (thank you trusty "tech guy"!).  Then for my audience to "feel" Carnival, we danced to some really spirited soca tunes.  I got them to "Iwa, Butterfly, Shadow, and Wave", "Follow the Leader", and dance in a conga line.  The kids, staff, parents, and I had a blast!  When it was time for us to recover and return to class, the students said a collective "AWWWW!!!" (I giggled because I anticipated that reaction.  Children are the same everywhere.)  In class, they coloured the "Malaika's Costume" sheets I prepared or designed their costumes on the bookmarks.  What a fun experience!  I even had my own Malaika moment: WIth my best intentions, I mailed books from Canada to meet them in the United States but they did not arrive in NYC by the time I arrived.  Instead of what I signed up for-- tracking number, insurance, priority mail 4-6 days and arriving in NYC ahead of me--. the books arrived in NYC just 2 days ago, after 2+ weeks after I had already returned to Canada.  The box that the books were in was badly damaged (holes, roughly and loosely taped up, open), most of the books were damaged and one missing.  A claim has been made and investigation in order.  This was a heartbreaking experience nevertheless, on the day of my presentation, I made the very best of the opportunity to present at Hunter College that day.  The hugs, enthusiasm, and the smiles from the children made this all worth it.

To all the revellers around the world, Happy Carnival 2016! "Malaika's Costume" celebrates Carnival with our friends in TnT (Trinidad and Tobago), Rio de Janeiro, Quebec City, New Orleans, and around the world!

Celebrate with us in the spirit of Caribbean Carnival! 
Join us on Saturday, March 5, 2016 for the launch of Malaika's Costume!

Time: 2-4pm
A Different Booklist Bookstore
Address:    746 Bathurst Street
                Toronto, ON
                M5S 2R6
                Canada
Phone:      416-538-0889

Read my latest guest blogpost on the Groundwood Books site.