Myrna: What is your profession?

Rita: I’m a full-time children’s and young adult author, and I occasionally perform freelance editing for fellow writers. Before my writing career, I was a special education comprehensive development teacher for 20 years. 

Myrna: What made you want to start writing picture books?

Rita: I think I was born with the desire to write picture books, because I can remember writing them in early elementary school. Every time I saw a blank piece of paper, I folded it, then began to write stories and illustrate them. One of my elementary buddies who came to see me in my mid-twenties reminisced with me about still having one of my early hand-made picture books. She said I titled it, Little Lost Puppy, and wrote that it was written and illustrated by ME, ha!

Myrna: That’s awesome! Your picture book that’s coming out in January has been garnering starred reviews. How many do you have now? And how does it feel to know that so many industry professionals are feeling a strong emotional connection to your project?

Rita: There are starred reviews from Kirkus and Publisher’s Weekly; reviews from Junior Library Guild, Booklist, Black Enterprise, and even a mention on the Wall Street Journal’s book review section. As for how I feel, I’m humbled and honored! Many times our hard work, sweat and tears are not recognized…or celebrated. When they are, I feel you should cherish the moment.

Myrna: That’s so exciting! You told me that you were “passionate about preserving history by giving a voice to unsung and previously unheard heroes who overcame great odds.” I love that! Could you briefly share a bit about some of the heroes you’ve written about? 

Rita: You already know about William Lewis from Hammering for Freedom, and Mary Walker from The Oldest Student. I also have several completed manuscripts that have not yet been shopped out, but we’re getting them prepped. They include:

• A woman who came south just after the Civil War and started an orphanage for children of color.
• An African American inventor who amassed over 60 patents, but who is largely unknown and unsung in America.
• An African American female physician who built and managed her own hospital during a time when blacks weren’t allowed inside white hospitals.

Myrna: I hope we get to see all of those stories unfold, Rita. Hammering for Freedom: The Story of William Lewis won the New Voices Award from Lee & Low Books in 2012. What did winning that award mean for the future of your book?

Rita: First and foremost, it meant…YES, we like your book! After so many near misses, this win was the boost I needed. Secondly, it meant I had direct access to a publishing house and the full power of its many resources. I got to talk to editors, chat with publicists, and I even got to meet the owner of the publishing house. By the way, Lee and Low is a most generous publishing house, and the staff are committed to making your final product [book] the very best it can be. Big shout-out to my Lee and Low editor, Jessica Echeverria Coodin. 

Myrna: In 2014, one of your manuscripts won an award from SCBWI. Would you tell us about that process, please?

Rita: In 2014 my middle grade manuscript earned a SCBWI Letter of Merit. When you are a member of SCBWI, you’re eligible to enter their awards and grants competitions. I entered a middle grade novel called The Man Who Saw Everything in the WIP (works-in-progress) competition. It is a fiction manuscript based on the true story of a man who died eight days short of his 133rd birthday. If I remember correctly, the process includes having to submit a 250-word synopsis and the first 10 pages of your manuscript. I did not win first prize, but I received a personal letter stating that my manuscript showed great promise and I was highly encouraged to continue seeking a publisher for it. 

Myrna: Thanks for sharing your experience. Do you have any advice for those who are writing about history?

Rita: Yes, find as many primary and secondary sources as you can. Consult with regional or even national historians. Often, they will offer to read your manuscript and give you their opinion about its authenticity. Talk to family members (if any are still living) and try to contact any journalists who wrote about them. Don’t assume that journalists or staff writers are no longer living simply because their articles came out decades ago. When I found William Lewis’ name in an early history book, I assumed the author was deceased. But I took a chance and called the newspaper that published the book and the author answered the phone! He’s elderly and he had forgotten some of the details about the articles he wrote, but he had donated all his handwritten notes to the local library, and he directed me to its location. It was a gold mine!

Myrna: That’s fantastic advice! You were already an award-winning picture book author when you started at Storyteller Academy. Can you tell us what drew you to our classes?

Rita: Yes! As I’ve mentioned, I’ve been writing and illustrating since elementary school—and probably before that. I always loved illustrating, and when I was in fourth or fifth grade, one of my watercolors was chosen to hang in one of our city’s art museums. But somewhere along the path of life, I convinced myself that I needed to choose one or the other (writing or art), but I couldn’t have both. So, I chose writing. Then I stumbled upon Storyteller Academy. I don’t remember if it was a promo or one of my friends’ posts, but when I saw it, I clicked on the link and suddenly realized that this might be the vehicle to get me back in touch with my love of doodling. And here I am!

Myrna: I’m so glad you found Arree! I love the doodles you shared.