Celebrating the Power of Representation in Storytelling
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Toni Morrison said it best: “If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” My journey in storytelling began when I was a child. and has evolved through my career as a journalist, author, and publishing consultant. My passion for writing led me to found the Merze Tate Explorers, the world’s only all-girl travel writers organization. Now, I want to use my powers for even more good, by providing a platform for diverse authors and professionals in the publishing industry.
What are the challenges to sharing stories that celebrate, inspire, and educate the world from a diverse perspective? What are the challenges in getting these stories published?Who are some of the phenominal women who have succeeded in this arena?
This is what “Girls Talk Books” is all about. Now, get out your yellow legal pad and get ready to be inspired and entertained!
Kelly J. Baptist worked in the office of a middle school while dreaming of becoming a published author. She entered contests, kept a journal of ideas, and joined a writers organization. Then, one day, a line from a book she planned to write came to life straight from the mouth of a student who was sent to the office. He said, “I don’t even hit girls!”
Her books, Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero and Isaiah Dunn Saves The Day.were born. Today, she works as a full-time author.
There are so many heroes of the Civil Rights Movement who died in the fight for equal rights. Those men left behind wives who not only had to continue to hold their families together, but were left to shoulder the movements their husbands left behind.
Nadia captures the essence of one such sheo, Myrlie Evers-Williams. Her book, Voice of Hope brings history to the present in this beautifully written and illustrated children’s book.
Vanessa never met her grandfather, the Hall of Famer Norman “Turkey” Stearnes. However, the story of his life in the Negro Leagues was captivating. As an athlete, she wondered what she would learn from his legacy. In her book, Hall of Fame DNA: The Legacy of Norman “Turkey” Stearnes, she brings his story to life in a conversation with his history.
Learn more about his baseball legend on this episode!
“You have the power to make your dreams come true.” Those were some of the inspiring words Olympic legend Jackie Joyner Kersee shared with the Merze Tate Explorers. In this special Girls Talk Books Jr. episode, the Explorers sit down with the legend to discuss her childhood, Olympic moments, her Foundation, and more. They also discuss her books A Kind of Grace and Running for the Gold.
What happens when a little boy takes an adventure with his music teacher to New York’s Carnegie Hall? Musical magic! Little Eddie Goes to Carnegie Hall is the story of Little Eddie, who accompanies his music teacher to an audition at Carnegie Hall. What Little Eddie learns along the way, and on the stage, inspires him to dream BIG! Merze Tate Explorer Cianna Hobson takes viewers on a visit to the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra to meet the real-life Edward Callahan in this musical book performance.
Watch more Girls Talk Books Jr. episodes on our YouTube Channel!
Edward Callahan, the inspiration for the book, performed to the reading of the book during a Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Storytime concert. The story, read by Von Washington, Jr., features Callahan, who earned a #1 Billboard rating for his classical album, Crazy Etunes. Check out the performance here!
Order your copy of Little Eddie Goes to Carnegie Hall TODAY!
What happens when a publishing company, community organization, and Grammy-winning jazz composer unite? They Jam! Musical magic was created with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra commissioned Sonya Hollins and Season Press LLC, to create a musical story that celebrates community, music, and the power of youth voices. The book, Jammin’ in Kalamazoo, was the set to music by Branford Marsalis, former Tonight Show band leader, Grammy-award-winning composer, and more! More than 1,000 community members of all ages and backgrounds came out to support the debut of Jammin’ in the fall of 2023. Since then, the book has been a best-seller on Amazon and continues to bring joy to children throughout Michigan during KSO school visits where the story is read while KSO musicians perform.
In the book illustrated by Dennis Reid, three music students go into action after the community music teacher loses her home to a fire. Each put aside their desires to win a community talent show and work together to earn enough funds to make a dream come true for their music teacher. Characters in the book were crafted with the help of local music students who wanted to exemplify how musical mentors in the community impacted their lives.
Below are images from the debut: Branford Marsalis (kneeling) poses with members of the KSO, Season Press LLC, and musician Edward Callahan. Center, Jessica Mallow Gulley, KSO executive director, congratulates Von Washington Jr, after his amazing performance as narrator of Jammin’ in Kalamazoo.
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Check out Jammin’ in Kalamazoo on Amazon. And…please LEAVE A REVIEW!
“It was such a fun experience to bring together music and storytelling in Jammin’ in Kalamazoo; it stimulates kids’ imaginations through words and sound.” – Branford Marsalis – Grammy-Winning Artist and composer of Jammin’ in Kalamazoo.
“I deeply appreciate the tribute in Jammin’ in Kalamazoo to my best friend and sister Velvelette, Bertha Barbee-McNeal Bertha co-founded the Velveletters and retired as a music teacher for Kalamazoo Public Schools. In Jammin’, her legacy lives on.” – Cal Street – International vocalist and original Motown Velvelette
“John (Stites) would have been very happy to know that the storybook is already enriching the lives of many potential jazz fans,” – Sandy Schaefer – Board of Directors, John Stites Jazz Artist Organization
You have an idea scattered throughout old notebooks, floppy discs (yes, that’s old!) and computer files. How do you get those ideas into the book you dream of sharing with the world? Sonya Hollins can help! Check out one-on-one and group virtual and in-person sessions.
Networking with a community of writers can motivate you toward completing your book. Check out these writers organizations and learn how to polish that book and prepare it for publishing.
From poetry to short story competitions, the world is waiting to see how you use 26 letters to tell a story. Check out upcoming contests and other opportunities to get one step closer to publishing success.
Today is the first day of Girls Talk Books! Hooray! I decided to kick this off during Women’s History Month because so many of the women we feature have made history in…
Why do we need another podcast about books? Because many of the issues that face diverse authors and publishing industry leaders are often glossed over or unaddressed. This podcast allows us to take the mask off past inconsistencies in the traditional publishing world when it comes to authentically celebrating diverse voices.
This show, in 30-minute segments, will not only celebrate publishing, but offer in-depth conversation about racism, sexism, and reclaiming the narrative.
As an author and self-publishing consultant, I have experienced multiple rejections of my work, even when reviewing agents say they love it, but “it isn’t a fit,” for them. Oftentimes, it is simply a matter of those agents not being able to understand diverse stories or how to work with them as they do for authors more traditionally signed. Through this podcast, we will dive into industry statistics, resources to help authors, as well as just some plain-ole fun, inspiring conversations.
So, let’s getting ready, Write, Now! Sonya- Chief Storytelling Officer and Host of Girls Talk Books
Why do we need another podcast about books? Because many of the issues that face diverse authors and publishing industry leaders are often glossed over or unaddressed. This podcast allows us to take the mask off past inconsistencies in the traditional publishing world when it comes to authentically celebrating diverse voices.
This show, in 30-minute segments, will not only celebrate publishing, but offer in-depth conversation about racism, sexism, and reclaiming the narrative.
As an author and self-publishing consultant, I have experienced multiple rejections of my work, even when reviewing agents say they love it, but “it isn’t a fit,” for them. Oftentimes, it is simply a matter of those agents not being able to understand diverse stories or how to work with them as they do for authors more traditionally signed. Through this podcast, we will dive into industry statistics, resources to help authors, as well as just some plain-ole fun, inspiring conversations.
So, let’s getting ready, Write, Now! Sonya- Chief Storytelling Officer and Host of Girls Talk Books
