Today we’d like to introduce you to Ain Drew.
Ain, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As an author, “Ari J.’s Kinky, Curly Crown” is my first children’s book. However, I’ve been writing stories and poetry since I learned how to write. I’ve always embraced the magic of rhyme and prose. I’ve written everything from narratives and one-act plays to articles about emerging tech. My work has been featured in “Sistah Vegan: Black Female Vegans Speak on Food, Identity, Health, and Society,” a range of independent literary magazines and SiliconANGLE.
As an educator, I realized the impact and power that a good children’s book could have, which is why I decided to write ‘Ari J.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being a creative of any kind is difficult. I think self-doubt comes with the territory. Like Badu said, “I’m sensitive about my sh*t.” I’ve sent dozens of queries to agents and publishing houses in an effort to find a traditional publisher who believed in my work. With that comes rejections. Not everyone will believe in your talent or your story and I’ve had to learn that that’s okay.
Last year, I found Orange Hat Publishing and they were so excited to publish my work. Working with their team has been an exceptionally seamless process. Everything happens in divine time.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I originally only saw myself as a poet. I thought that would be my lane as a writer. But writing, publishing and seeing “Ari J.’s Kinky, Curly Crown” in so many little hands has given me so much joy. Of all the work I’ve done, it’s the project that I’m most proud of.
As far as what sets me apart from other writers, I’m not comparing myself to anyone else. The beautiful thing about writing is that we all have our own stories to tell and there’s room for everyone.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
As technology advances, people don’t buy books the way they used to. Fortunately, children’s books are unique. People still want their children to experience holding and reading an actual, physical book. So even with the popularity of eBooks and apps that allow to you read or listen to books on practically any device, I hope the publishing industry remains traditional in the realm of children’s literature.
The industry is also changing when it comes to representation. We’re seeing more children’s books that reflect the true diversity of our world. Now we just have to do more work with making sure that the voices telling those stories are also diverse. The fact is, the majority of children’s books with Black protagonists are still written by white authors. I see a slight shift happening in that regard as well.
Contact Info:
- Email: ain.hd7@gmail.com
- Instagram: @brownboysmama
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arijscurlycrown/
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Ari-J-s-Kinky-Curly-Crown/dp/1645382184/ref=sr_1_1?crid=NIN90UO3AHU4&dchild=1&keywords=ari+js+kinky+curly+crown+book&qid=1618257814&sprefix=ari+js%2Caps%2C173&sr=8-1
