Hello, Ms. Otey. To formally introduce myself, my name is Alexis K. Ellis. I am a Volunteer Education Blogger for the blog “Zealousness,” published on www.ineducationonline.org. I have been writing for their education blog since October 2023. I wanted to interview you to show students your writing success story as a poet and literary advocate. I wanted to give them insight into how to write, develop their voice, and how to express themselves.
1. How did you get your start writing?
I’ve been reading since I was three and remember both verbally telling stories and writing them as well, way back in like 5th grade. I started writing poetry in junior high school. It was how I expressed myself. In 2012, after deciding I wanted to pursue publishing, I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
2. How did you know that being a writer was the career you wanted to pursue?
I honestly wasn’t aware that I could write professionally. It was never discussed as an option, despite how well I wrote and the contests I won when I was younger. I had written a story for fun and showed it to a friend, who suggested I pursue writing professionally by joining an organization.
3. How did you get your writing noticed among editors?
There are different ways to get writing in front of an editor. Usually, you have to have an agent present your work. Sometimes there will be an open call for manuscripts. It’s important to be plugged in to the writing community so you can have a sense of opportunities as they become available.
4. How did you find your target audience?
My target audience is children, so I attend vendor and book events, and speak with educators, librarians, parents, and other professionals who may be interested in the types of books I write and introducing those books to their young readers.
5. What is your background in publishing?
I have one picture book, Every Other Christmas, that was traditionally published. Every Other Christmas is a positive coparenting story about a young boy who alternates celebrating the holidays between his African-American mother’s family and his Colombian father’s family. Every Other Christmas received an Honorable Mention from the Empowering Latino Futures Awards.
I then published Sister, a foster care and adoption story, through my publishing company, Phoenix Media & Books. Sister received a Gold IBPA Book Award for Best New Voice in Children’s Books and was named as one of the Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2024.
I then published my own middle-grade book, Izzy’s (Almost) Epic Day, about a kid who is excited to have the best day ever. Each chapter is an hour of Izzy’s day and, hour by hour, things go from bad to worse. Izzy’s (Almost) Epic Day won a Silver IBPA Book Award for Humor and a Bronze Writely Award for Best Overall Middle Grade Book.
The next picture book my company will publish is called Sasquatch. Ninja. Clown. It is a comedic story about three unlikely friends.
6. What is a literary advocate, and how does it differ from a literary agent?
I am more of a literacy advocate, which simply means that I advocate for increasing access to books and help educate people on the disparities within publishing and the low literacy rates in the African-American community. A literary agent is someone who represents authors and their work and sells their work to acquiring editors at publishing companies.
7. What advice do you give to student writers?
Write about what you know and love. And express yourself authentically. Do not try to write to trends. Everyone has a story and an audience for their stories. If everyone wrote about the same thing, the literary world would be terribly boring.
8. How does a writer develop their writing voice and tone in their work?
I think reading is one of the best things you can do to become a great writer. Secondly, I would practice writing. Join a writing group and share your work. Understanding how others see your words will help you become better at clearly expressing yourself through writing.
9. How do new writers learn to express themselves and find who they are in their work?
I would practice, join a writing group, and share my work. Learn to accept critique and learn from what others are saying. It is also important to return the favor and give others feedback. Using your critical thinking skills to evaluate what you’ve read will help you become a better writer yourself.
10. Who is your favorite writer?
Britt Bennett
11. What is your favorite book? Why?
I really liked reading Britt Bennett’s The Vanishing Half. The story itself was compelling but also the way she expressed herself was beautiful. The language was amazing to read.
12. Who is your favorite poet?
Maya Angelou
13. What is your favorite poem? Why?
And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou. That poem stirs my soul. It is moving, compelling, empowering, everything I aspire to be as a Black woman. Every word has intention. It is simply a masterpiece.
14. What quote defines your writing? Why?
Writers Write. I met with two authors many years ago, and that is what they told me. Before you are published, before you win awards, before anyone knows who you are, you are a writer. You simply must practice, you must write. That is all.
15. What do you want readers to come away with when reading your books?
I want them to enjoy my books, to think of their family or their lives, and reflect. I want them to learn something through laughter and come away feeling everything can be okay, even if the circumstances aren’t ideal.
Thank you, Ms. Otey, for this wonderful interview. I really appreciate it!
-Ms. Alexis K. Ellis
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