6/30/2023 0 Comments Sweet Stakes by Alechia DowThat sometimes includes examining pain and trauma. Kalynn Bayron: Black creators have always been eager to tell stories that encompass all the nuances of our existence. We need to allow Black characters the full breadth of their humanity. And while I firmly believe we need these stories, I also think we need joyful stories full of love and adventure and philosophy. So many times when we see media about Black characters, they are stories of pain and trauma. Nicola Yoon: In YA, I've seen quite a few conversations around the need to have stories that center joy. While there's absolutely a place in this age group to explore trauma - and a lot of those stories are powerful and necessary - I think publishing has seen that stories beyond that sell just as well. They deserve stories where Black teens can have low-stakes romantic comedies, sci-fi fantasies, fast-paced thrillers, and everything in between. How do you feel the YA genre has changed or shifted around stories centering Black trauma and joy? How has the last year shaped the genre moving forward?Īlechia Dow: YA publishing has very slowly, especially over the last few years, realized that Black teens deserve more than pain.
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