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BackList Interview With Author Kelly Starling Lyons |
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Features
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Written by Danielle Hatchett
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 Backlist first introduced you to the work of children's author, Kelly Starling Lyons when we reported on the launch of the Brown Bookshelf. We had the chance to chat with this dynamic author about the young adult genre and the release of her latest book, ONE MILLION MEN AND ME.
BackList: So tell us about your journey from journalist to children's lit author. Were there any challenges to this transition?
Kelly Starling Lyons: I was an associate editor at Ebony magazine when I rediscovered literature for young people. My job was to write feature articles and choose books for the Bookshelf column. As I read through dozens of titles that arrived each week, I found myself being drawn to the stories for kids. I saw beautiful picture books, compelling middle-grade and young adult novels that spoke to me in a special way. As someone who rarely saw books featuring black children in the library of my predominantly white elementary school, these books were like a gulp of water after a long, hot day. I knew right then that one day I would add my voice.
I see my journey from journalist to children's book author as a natural progression. I started out as a reporter writing feature articles about teens, schools and communities of color. Then, at Ebony, I wrote about the struggles and successes of our people. Writing for children brings me full circle. In a way, I’m writing for that girl I used to be. The biggest challenge comes in learning the art of writing for kids. I feel comfortable writing articles and essays. Writing for children brings me great
joy, but it’s a new style for me. I read a lot, attend classes and conferences and write as much as I can. I'm growing every day.
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