KWELI COLOR OF CHILDREN'S LITERATURE CONFERENCE
2021
‟Books transmit values. They explore our common humanity. What is the message when some children are not represented in those books?”
—WALTER DEAN MYERS
Where Are the People of Color in Children's Books?
New York Times, March 15, 2014
#KWELI21 VIRTUAL
April 9 - 11, 2021
Kweli has entered its second decade! Can you believe it? We continue to honor the legacy of Walter Dean Myers with a conference that celebrates and supports our unique voices, our nuanced stories, our truth. Our spring conference is an excellent opportunity for BIPOC writers and illustrators to learn, get inspired and network with others in the industry.
We have an exciting program to share with you. But first things first.
MEET OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Angeline Boulley
Safia Elhillo
Meg Medina
Jerry Craft
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Friday, April 9, 2021
9:00am - 12pm
MASTER CLASSES
A. Middle Grade and Young Adult Novel
Crafting Compelling And Multi-Dimensional Characters That Readers Will Root For with JASMINE WARGA, author of Other Words for Home and The Shape of Thunder
In this course, we will discuss how to craft compelling characters that will engender empathy and excitement from readers. What makes a compelling character? We will discuss concepts of likability and reliability as well as flaws and growth. We will look at examples of beloved characters from MG and YA novels, and dissect how the authors created such dynamic personalities. We will discuss the intersection between character and voice and these two areas of craft are intractably linked. There will also be several writing exercises for you to work on bringing your own characters to life. We will also specifically cover the struggles (and joys!) of writing main characters of color.
B. Middle Grade and Young Adult Novel
I Can Show You the World with TIFFANY LIAO, editor of Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley and Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
From contemporary to historical to fantasy, all stories require worldbuilding. To be truly immersive, a world cannot simply be a place where your story is set: it's an entire microcosm defined by your character and their unique perspective. Your job as the writer is to establish and define the world of your character, and invite the reader in. In this intensive, I'll show you how to build a world that feels compelling, vivid, and real. We'll cover how to gather research and inspiration, convey information while avoiding the dreaded info dump, and how to make the world come alive on the page.
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1:30pm - 4:30pm
MASTER CLASSES
A. Picture Book
Where Art Meets Text: A Workshop on Writing Picture Books with DR. MONICA BROWN, author of Frida and her Animalitos and Small Room, Big Dreams: The Journey of Julian and Joaquín Castro
This workshop will serve as an introduction to and exploration of the craft of writing picture-books, both fiction and non-fiction. We will discuss form, craft, character development, illustratable action, research, and the picture book market more generally. Time and size-permitting, students will have the opportunity to receive feedback on live pitches from the instructor as part of a group discussion at the end of the workshop.
B. Middle Grade and Young Adult Novel
Plotting and Brainstorming with VEERA HIRANANDANI, author of The Night Diary and How to Find What You're Not Looking For
One of the biggest obstacles to finishing a draft is not knowing where your story is going. Some writers spend a lot of time on plot structure before they write and some don't, but ultimately it’s hard to write a successful story without a strong understanding of your plot. There are many resources out there about plot, but how do you apply it? How much do you really need to outline and how complicated should it be? In this workshop through a simple process of writing exercises, a brainstorming technique called mind-mapping, and synopsis outlining, you will reconnect with your writing project and fully realize its potential.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 10, 2021
9:00am - 9:45am
Welcome and Introduction by Laura Pegram
Keynote by Angeline Boulley
10:00am - 10:45am
A. Publishing Track
Solidarity: Ours for the Making
Solidarity is ours for the making. But we must continue to have those hard conversations about structural oppressions, anti-blackness within non-black communities, anti-immigrant stances within black community AND MORE. Featuring: Jennifer N. Baker, Mike Jung, Sheba Karim, & Ibi Zoboi; moderated by Joanna Ho
B. Novel Track
Writing Social Justice
Individual stories can challenge outmoded stereotypes and myths and break down the idea of “the monolith.” In this panel, four esteemed authors and one seasoned editor will discuss art which centers social justice. Featuring: Angeline Boulley, Aida Salazar, Mahogany L. Browne & Jasmine Warga; moderated by Cheryl Hudson
C. Illustrated Books and Nonfiction Track
Worth a Thousand Words: Unlocking the Power of Picture Books
Just because picture books are targeted toward a young audience doesn't mean they are "simple." Join these critically-acclaimed picture book creators as they discuss the power of picture books and how they use the art of visual storytelling to share complex, meaningful, and culturally-relevant stories with readers of all ages. Featuring: Michaela Goade, Rajani LaRocca, Daria Peoples-Riley, NoNieqa Ramos & Tasha Spillett; moderated by Minh Le
11:00am - 11:45am
A. Publishing Track
Tips on Crafting a Short Story for an Anthology
Reflections on the short story as a literary form and gateway to craft experimentation, on how anthologies are crafted and their qualities as well as advice for aspiring and up-and-coming short story writers. Featuring: Christine Day, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, Renee Watson & Brian Young; moderated by Cynthia Leitich Smith
B. Novel Track
First Pages Clinic: Voice and Audience
Writers often struggle with questions of voice and audience. As editors, we have found that a rather wordy picture book manuscript, for example, might actually be more fitting for a middle grade audience if the author did X, Y and Z. In this session, editors will give direct X, Y and Z feedback on the first 250 words of a submission. They will be selected at random from attendees’ previously submitted materials and shared on screen for all to read. Featuring: Rosemary Brosnan, Joanna Cardenas, Zareen Jaffery, Phoebe Yeh & Weslie Turner; moderated by Arely Guzman
C. Illustrated Books and Nonfiction Track
Storyboard That! Panelists will discuss their storyboarding process and share storyboards from their picture books and/or graphic novels. Featuring: Floyd Cooper, David Bowles, Tasha Spillett, Cozbi Cabrera & Shing Yin Khor & Javaka Steptoe; moderated by Michaela Goade
11:00am - 12:30pm
D. Intensives Track
The Five Principles of a Satisfying Picture Book
A satisfying picture book results from the intimate interplay of five powerful principles: Concept, Form, Arc, Structure, and Sound. In this workshop, we’ll discuss these foundational ideas in depth, examine several published picture books to see how they develop these principles, and consider some places where participants’ manuscripts may need revision, reconception, or further growth. Facilitated by Cheryl Klein
12:00pm - 12:45pm
A. Publishing Track
Critical Literacy
Text not only shapes our reading habits but, it also contextualizes and subverts our identities and world views. Critical literacy is a tool that informs readers how they are being positioned by providing them with mechanism that identifies expressions of power, privilege and oppression. This program explores the ways in which critical literacy is used to evaluate and analyze youth literature today. Facilitated by Edi Campbell
B. Novel Track
Love as Revolution
‟Loving oneself is one way to start the revolution,” said award winning author Renee Watson, “and self love is actually radical love.” Three panelists will lean into radical love and activism during this timely discussion. Featuring: Sheba Karim, Misa Suguira & Renee Watson; moderated by Liara Tamani.
C. Illustrated Books and Nonfiction Track
Hidden Figures: Picture Book Biographies. Authors will share their approach to telling the true stories of Zora Neale Hurston, ‟the extraordinary folklorist and novelist extraordinaire who changed the face of American literature”; Philip G. Freelon, the architect devoted to the Black experience, Fauja Singh, ‟the first 100-year-old to run a marathon,” and the Black Wall Street community in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Featuring: Carole Boston Weatherford, Simran Jeet Singh, Kelly Starling Lyons, Alicia Williams; moderated by Rio Cortez
12:45pm - 1:15pm
Break for Lunch
1:15pm
ZOOM CHECK-IN
1:30pm - 2:15pm
Generative Writing Workshop
2:30pm - 3:15pm
A. Publishing Track
Chapter Books and Easy Readers
A good chapter book has "easy-on-the-eyes design, heavy use of illustrations, and a focus on universal themes.” Five authors will discuss how to create engaging chapter books for readers who are transitioning from picture books to novels, from craft considerations like voice and plot, to how to think about series potential. Featuring: Derrick Barnes, Susan Muaddi Darraj, Christine Day, J. Dillard & Saadia Faruqi; moderated by Dr. Monica Brown
B. Novel Track
Mining Deep: Research and Writing
Panelists discuss how the research for their book took them from a ghostly ocean to an alternate colonial Mexico in the year 1865 and what they discovered about themselves and their characters during the process. At the end of the panel, the authors will leave the audience with five takeaways on research and writing. Featuring: Graham Akhurst, Carole Boston Weatherford, David Bowles, Brandy Colbert & Darcie Little Badger; moderated by Laura Pegram
C. Illustrated Books and Nonfiction Track
What to Expect: The Author/ Agent/ Editor Relationship
Join top industry professionals in a panel discussion where they will cover different aspects of the author-agent-editor relationship. Featuring: Leah Henderson & Clelia Gore, Denene Millner & Cozbi Cabrera; moderated by Joanna Cardenas
2:30pm - 4:00pm
D. Intensives Track Ways to Play With Story Structure with Olugbemisola Rhuday Perkovich and Lamar Giles
This conversation will explore how our "cultural locations" influence our understanding of the "right" way to tell a story, and empower writers to consider some of the many ways to play with our work.
3:30pm - 4:15pm
A. Publishing Track
What I Wish I Knew Before My Debut
Authors discuss all the things they wish they knew before their debut, from how to manage your expectations, to keeping track of boundaries in a virtual world. Featuring Derrick Barnes, Jennifer DeLeon, Leah Henderson & Darcie Little Badger; moderated by Sheetal Sheth
B. Novel Track
Historical Fiction
Histories reimagined in timeless works of fiction. From A Sitting in St. James and the interwoven lives of those bound to a plantation in antebellum America to The Legend of Auntie Po, where ‟thirteen-year-old Mei reimagines the myths of Paul Bunyan as starring a Chinese heroine while she works in a Sierra Nevada logging camp in 1885.” Featuring: Brandy Colbert, Veera Hiranandani, Aida Salazar, Shing Yin Khor & Rita Williams Garcia; moderated by Carole Boston Weatherford
C. Illustrated Books and Nonfiction Track
First Look Clinic
In this largely “illustrative” version of First Pages, a distinguished panel of author/ illustrators will look at illustrations & snippets of text for picture books and graphic novels, and offer advice on improving and publishing your work. Attendees must have submitted their work ahead of the conference. Featuring: Tasha Spillett, Joanna Ho, Juana Martinez-Neal, Daria Peoples-Riley, Jess X. Snow & Javaka Steptoe; moderated by Connie Hsu
4:30pm - 5:15pm
A. Publishing Track
Reimagine
Reimagine a publishing industry defined by an inclusive community of creatives.
Featuring: Cynthia Leitich Smith, Denene Millner & Namrata Tripathi; moderated by Zareen Jaffery
5:30pm - 6:00pm
Reading and Closing Keynote by Safia Elhillo
6:15pm - 6:30pm
Closing Notes
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Sunday, April 11, 2021
9:15am - 9:45am
SELF CARE
Nadia Owusu in Conversation with Sarah Choi
10:00am - 10:40am
EDITOR / AGENT ROUNDTABLES
A. Jennifer Ung (Executive Editor at Quill Tree Book/Harper Collins) and Wendi Gu (Literary Agent at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates)
B. Saba Sulaiman (Literary Agent at Talcott Notch) & Trisha de Guzman (Associate Editor at Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Macmillan)
C. Stefanie Sanchez Von Borstel (Literary Agent & Co-founder, Full Circle Literary) & Weslie Turner (Senior Editor at the Versify, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
10:00am - 10:25am
ASK ME ANYTHING on Scene Building
Angeline Boulley (author of Firekeeper’s Daughter), Serene Hakim & Nick Thomas (Senior Editor at Levine Querido)
10:45am - 11:25am ASK ME ANYTHING on Voice Arthur Levine (President, Editor-in-Chief, Levine Querido) & Arely Guzman (Editor at Make Me a World)
10:45am - 11:25am
EDITOR / AGENT ROUNDTABLES
A. Jennifer Ung (Executive Editor at Quill Tree Book/Harper Collins) and Wendi Gu (Literary Agent at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates)
B. Saba Sulaiman (Literary Agent at Talcott Notch) & Trisha de Guzman (Associate Editor at Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Macmillan)
C. Stefanie Sanchez Von Borstel (Literary Agent & Co-founder, Full Circle Literary) & Weslie Turner (Senior Editor at the Versify imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
11:30am - 12:30pm
GRAPHIC NOVEL ROUNDTABLE
A. Stacy Whitman (Founder and publisher of Tu Books) & Whitney Leopard (Senior Editor, Random House Graphic)
BUSINESS & CONTRACTS 101 ROUNDTABLE
B. Cheryl Klein (Editorial Director at Lee & Low Books)
MARKETING & PUBLICITY ROUNDTABLE
C. Antonio Gonzalez Cerna (Marketing Director at Levine Querido)
11:30am - 12:30pm
ASK ME ANYTHING on Writing and Illustrating
Juana Martinez Neal (Author-Illustrator of Alma and How She Got Her Name AND Zonia's Rain Forest, Illustrator of Fry Bread), Jess X. Snow (Illustrator of Black Girl Magic and The Ocean Calls), Alicia Williams (Author of Jump at the Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston) & Connie Hsu (Executive Editor at Roaring Brook Press at Macmillan Publishing)
12:45pm - 1:15pm
LUNCH
1:30pm - 2:30pm
CLOSING KEYNOTE CONVERSATION
Meg Medina and Jerry Craft in Conversation with Ibi Zoboi
2:30pm - 2:45pm
IT’S A WRAP
KWELI COLOR OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
ARCHIVES
See our Kweli Color of Children’s Literature 2016 - 2018 archives:
highlights, photos, presenters, and general programs.
SPONSORS
Victoria Sanders & Associates
John N. Blackman Sr. Foundation
