Author Talk Training Recap
How would you like the world to see Shout Mouse authors?
Brave. Fearless. Worthy. Fighter.
Last month, new and established youth authors gathered in Studio J at The Reach in The Kennedy Center for our annual Author Talk Training. The tables in the dance-studio-turned-author-training-bootcamp were filled with pens, snacks, fidget toys (of course) and post-it notes that would soon be scattered across the butcher paper that lined the room, answering questions like:
What makes a Shout Mouse author?
Why are you grateful to be an author?
How would you like the world to see Shout Mouse authors?
How might authors need to show up in spaces to make your vision possible?
After setting the stage (get it, because it’s a dance studio?) with our opening discussions, Programs Director Alexa Patrick introduced our incredible special guest, Ofosu Jones-Quartey. Ofosu, like many of our authors, leads his work with all of his identities: he is a meditation teacher, a musician, an author–all of which inform the way he approaches his writing, as well as the advice he bestowed upon Shout Mouse authors. Ofosu gave an author talk of his own to the group for his newest book, Love Your Amazing Self, which he introduced with a breathing exercise and sound bowls. After his talk, Ofosu generously signed a copy for each author, gifted with the support of An Open Book Foundation!
Following Ofosu’s author talk and grounding session, authors engaged in a discussion about what it means to bring their identities into their work, and practiced mock author talks in small groups to get peer feedback. Two brave authors, Sinnah of Mamas Just Like You and Daysha of Where Could Mama Be, additionally gave mock talks in front of the full group – and nailed it!
The remainder of the day was filled with more mock author talks, including, Brizel of Belinda Lifts Her Voice, Phuong of the AAPI Youth Comics, and Tayla of Sebastian's Apartment Family, and larger visioning discussions about Shout Mouse authors’ places in the world—who they want to be, what message they want to deliver, what impact they want to leave on their communities.
If you ask us, the theme of the day was written on the walls (literally): Why are you grateful to be an author? There was no shortage of creativity, gratitude, or thoughtfulness among the minds of the writers in the room–each of them bringing with them their own purpose, story, and vision for what it means when young people put words to the page.
I am grateful to show other children that their dreams can come true. As a child, I used to create stories within notebooks.
I am grateful to be able to say I was able to create an amazing book. A lot of people don’t get that chance.
I am grateful to be able to transfer my thoughts onto a piece of paper and into the world.
I am grateful because I get to write and talk about my writing.
I am grateful that I am able to diversify literature, honor my late grandmother, promote youth advocacy, and fulfill my childhood dream of being an author.
I am grateful that I met my dream of writing a book.