The Evolution of Young Adult Literature and Representation with Traci Jones

What's Your Why?

It's almost like someone telling you that your child is wrong - I mean, she'd be really perfect if you would just change her hair and add some freckles and then make her taller. - Traci Jones

Traci Jones, an accomplished young adult novelist, brings a unique blend of creativity and insight to her writing, enriching the literary landscape with diverse representation. With a background in psychology and a master's degree in advertising, Traci's unconventional journey to becoming an author reflects her ability to weave compelling narratives. Her genuine passion for writing for the average African American female reader is evident in her storytelling, as she endeavors to fill the void she experienced in her own childhood reading. Drawing inspiration from everyday life and profound human experiences, Traci's novels capture the essence of embracing diversity and the beauty of being different. Through her work, she has played a significant role in advancing and enhancing representation in young adult literature, making a lasting impact on readers seeking authentic and diverse voices in the literary world.

My Special Guest is Traci Jones:

Traci L. Jones holds a B.A. in psychology from Pomona College in Claremont, CA. An M.A. in advertising from the University of Denver and has taken several courses in Creative Writing at the University of Denver. Before launching a young adult novelist career, Traci L. Jones wrote articles for the local business magazines In The Black and Emerging Markets. Traci L. Jones’ first Young Adult novel, Standing Against the Wind, was published in 2006 and won the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award. It was also recognized as a 2007 Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year. Her second novel, Finding My Place published in 2010. Her third novel, Silhouetted by the Blue released in July 2011; Ransoming the Captive in July of 2022. In 2016, she began working as a creative writing instructor for the MFA program at Regis University.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Explore the journey from psychology to young adult novelist, unlocking the potential for a unique perspective in storytelling.

• Embrace the significance of representation in young adult literature, and the power of diverse voices and narratives.

• Find inspiration for young adult novels, igniting creativity and originality in your writing.

• Discover the impact of personal history on authors, understanding how it shapes and enriches storytelling.

• Overcome the challenges in rewriting and editing novels, mastering the art of refining your work for maximum impact.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• TraciLJones.com - This is where you can find more information about Traci Jones and her books. You can also find direct links to purchase her books on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

• Traci Jones' Facebook Author Page - Traci Jones has a Facebook author page where she keeps fairly up to date with her activities, book fairs, and speaking engagements. You can follow her page for updates and news about her work.

• Learn more about Wyoming Humanities at ThinkWY.org

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