Interview with Tonya Duncan Ellis

KidLit Alert!

Self-Published & Traditionally Published

Tonya Duncan Ellis

and the Sophie Washington Series

Readers, writers, and Bookish People - please welcome the amazing Tonya Duncan Ellis to Teazurs Blog. We met on Instagram, where I was seeing some cool posts, so I reached out for an interview. I'm so glad she said yes! From self-published to agented, Tonya's done it all. 

Hello, Tonya,

You loved libraries as a child. What did you love the most? 

My main memory was coming out of the library with a large bag of books. I loved browsing the shelves and checking out the covers of the latest reads. 

Maya Angelou was a great inspiration for you. Who else has helped you along your writer’s path? 

There are too many to number. Editors from newspaper and magazine jobs...other writers whose work I admire,.. librarians and teachers who encouraged me to read and write. The list goes on and on. 

What motto do you live by? 

"Whatever the mind can conceive and 

believe the mind can achieve."

You said that after you became a mother, you wanted to write characters that looked and acted like your kids….what are some of the differences you write in your characters that you’d love for kids to learn about or notice? 

My books include a diverse cast of characters, but I'm happy when readers of other races find my books relatable and notice that the African American characters have many of the same experiences as they do. I want readers to recognize that all stories about the African American community don't center on trauma or hardship since so many that are published do. 

Why is it important for young readers to diversify their reading choices? 

As psychologist Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop says, books are mirrors, windows and sliding glass doors, giving readers insights into themselves, and other people, and helping them to vicariously experience other lives and cultures. 

Reading diverse books teaches young readers about different people, places, and things and also conveys that though we may differ in appearance or background, common elements of humanity make us the same in so many ways. 

If you could be any book character, even one you invent, who would you be and why? 

I'd rather be myself than any book character. As a wife and mom of three, my life has plenty of drama in it! 

What gave you the bravery to become an author? 

When I wrote my first book, a friend told me I was brave, and I was surprised. I've never considered writing an act of bravery. From a young age, I've kept journals and loved writing.  It's something that I've always done. Before becoming a children's author, I worked as a journalist for years, so I am used to having my writing read publicly. Becoming an author was a continuation of a path I started as a child. 

How easy or difficult has it been to get your work out into the world? 

I started out self-publishing, so it was fairly simple to have my books published through Amazon and Ingram Spark, a publishing company for independent authors. Marketing the books once they are published takes a lot of time and effort. I have an MBA degree with a concentration in marketing and actually enjoy marketing tasks, which helps. I am now agented and going through the process of having books traditionally published, so that takes time, patience, and a thick skin to deal with rejection. 

You are on Instagram. That’s how we met. What has been the best thing about social media for your writing? 

Social media has been a key factor 

in the success of my book series. 

Once I started posting images of children with my books, word about them spread throughout the nation and the world. I wouldn't be where I am in my author career without social media. 

You volunteered to knit blankets for hurricane survivors. What was that like to be a part of something bigger than yourself? How can others get involved? 

It was amazing to help others in this way. After Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, where I live, thousands were displaced, and over one hundred students from my sons' school were flooded out of their homes. One lady who received a blanket I knit came to me in tears and said that curling up in the blanket in the evenings comforted her. She and her family were forced to live on the upper level of their home for a few months when the rest of their house was destroyed. This effort came through a Care team at my son's school. In regular times the group knits blankets for people with illnesses, death in the family or other issues. 

For the young people out there who want to write a novel, what words of advice do you have for them?  

Read widely in the genre that you are interested in writing in and write daily in a journal. Reading gives you that writing instinct and keeps you in touch with what's popular in current literature. 

If I gave you a megaphone and the whole world would listen… What one sentence would you shout? 

Love one another, and live in peace! 

You are a member of SCBWI - why? What do you love about the organization? How has it helped you? 

I joined SCBWI around 2018 to be part of a writer's community where I could hone my craft, get support and learn more about marketing my books. I love all the resources SCBWI offers, like monthly speakers, critique groups, and writer's conferences. Membership has benefited me tremendously. I've learned so much that has helped me improve as a writer and I've made valuable connections that have expanded my author career. 

In 2021 I won an SCBWI Austin chapter writing mentor award, and this year I won an SCBWI Marketing Grant that helped me get the word out about my work. I've presented on marketing at my Houston SCBWI chapter. In February 2023 I'll be teaching two intensives on marketing at SCBWI's Winter Conference in New York City. It's a great organization for children's authors to improve their craft and network. 

You belong to Black Creators in KidLit. What is that? Why should others get involved? How has it helped you? 

Black Creators in KidLit is a community of Black creatives (writers and illustrators) that offers support and information about publishing industry opportunities.  

In 2021 eight percent of traditionally published children's books featured Black characters, and less than half of those were written by Black authors. 

The group works to increase the number of published Black creatives. I joined about a year ago and got involved as a member of one of their picture book critique groups, which was a source of great support. 

Where can young people and other writers meet you in person?  

I'm winding down on events this year, but children interested in meeting me can have their schools contact me for visits through my website at tonyaduncanellis On December 9 (Today - So I hope I see you there), I'll be attending an author event at the John Cooper School in the Woodlands, TX. The next event I have will be in January at a Houston area school. 

What is Sophie’s Club, and why should we sign up for it? 

Sophie's Club is my email newsletter. Members get information about my upcoming books and appearances and chances to win prizes. This past week a member won six new children's books in a Thanksgiving promotion. You can join through my website at tonyaduncanellis. 

Writing diverse books is great….but how do we get people to buy diverse books? What can we say or do to cross-pollinate our readers? 

Diverse books are best sellers. I don't see any issue in getting people to buy them, except when they are banned. Children love to read great stories. If the story is good with interesting characters, they want to read it, whatever the character's background. 

If you could have a conversation with your younger self about being creative and writing. What would you tell her? 

Take detailed notes on all your travels and experiences. They'll be great material for future books. 

Have you taken any writing courses that others should take? What did you learn? 

I've taken workshops through the Highlights Foundation that I highly recommend. They offer virtual and on-site courses on all areas of kid lit, from writing non-fiction to picture books, to chapter books, to novels in verse. Taking these courses has definitely improved my work. This is a great place to start if you are interested in learning more about writing children's books. 

We writers love to be creative, but now we must market ourselves, too. How do you do it, and what is your advice for other writers? 

There's no cookie-cutter answer to this question, as marketing varies depending on the topic and genre of your book. There are many online resources and books available to learn about marketing. If you lack knowledge, I'd recommend you start learning how to market your book while you're writing it because this will be key to getting your work in the hands of readers once it's published. 

What’s the best part about visiting schools as an author?

 

The best part is interacting with the children. They really are my "why." I love seeing their interest and excitement and encouraging them to explore literature. 

What’s the funniest or craziest thing a child has said to you about writing or your books? 

The funniest question a child asked me was, 

"Do you do anything besides read and write?" 

I guess I truly am a book nerd! 

What question would you ask yourself? 

I'd ask, "What's your next book?"  

I'm working on a middle-grade novel and have also started writing picture books. 

___________________________________________

Thanks so much for featuring me on your blog, Angie! 

This was fun. 

Oh, this was my pleasure, Tonya! Your path is one we all can admire and learn from, so thank you for sharing. We will be looking out for your Debut Middle-Grade...

If you'd like to contact Tonya, please use her links below:

Tonya Duncan Ellis: 

Instagram &

Writer's Website

                    

And If you'd like to be interviewed on the Teazurs blog, please reach out to angazur@mac.com  

Write~on

Angie