I spent a spectacular Saturday at the 7th Annual African American Book Fair in Baltimore, Maryland’s Reginald F. Lewis Museum this past weekend! It was a great time to meet new readers and network with other authors.
I was especially psyched when I ran into Kelly Starling Lyons, author of the Jada Jones series. She’s one of my personal writing rock stars! I wish I had books like hers to share with my daughter when she was small. Kelly was kind enough to pose for a picture with me holding my book AND I got my own signed copy of Jada Jones: Sleepover Scientist. I can’t wait until her historic picture book about the Black National Anthem, Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations, comes out this August.
Another huge highlight was meeting YouTuber, Neha Praveen of NPStation in person. I connected with this super smart and sweet as molasses young lady online about a year ago, and since then, she’s reviewed two of my books on her channel. She made a special trip to visit my booth when she heard I was coming to Baltimore and even brought me a gift! Not only does Neha love reading and sharing her love of books on her channel, but she’s also studying computer coding. Look to see her at MIT, Stanford, or one of the Ivies one day.
Crowds were huge throughout the afternoon, and authors were so busy greeting readers that the time zoomed by. I am grateful I was selected to participate in this event and hope I’m invited back next year!
Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the Amazon Best Selling, Readers’ Favorite “Five Star†rated Sophie Washington children’s book series, geared toward readers ages 8-12 and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
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