🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 As we wait for the #MahmoudvTaylor#SCOTUS decision tomorrow, here is a blog post about the surprises & silver linings of having books involved in this case:
🌈 “I’d grown up without LGBTQ+ books, without being able to be out. So when I wrote my LGBTQ+ picture book Love, Violet to fill that gap, I expected it to be censored.” “Then… the U.S. Supreme Court announced that they would hear Mahmoud v. Taylor, which names Love, Violet and eight other LGBTQ+ picture books.
That I was not expecting. It was the first of many surprises.”
🌈 Happy Pride! Charlotte Sullivan Wild here, and I’m thrilled to share this interview with picture book author Joëlle Retener. They are about to receive a Stonewall Honor for their picture book Marley’s Pride (illus. by DeAnn Wiley) at the American Library Association conference next week.
💜 Last year, one of my happiest surprises was when Joëlle asked to trade work, and we became fast friends. We connected through the Facebook group Disabled Kidlit Writers, hosted by Lillie Owens Lainoff (another star!). In addition to both being LGBTQ+ picture book authors, we have the same chronic illness. ME/CFS blocks a body’s ability to produce energy correctly or recover from exertion (physical, mental, emotional, and sensory). Finding a creative friend who doesn’t mind recording video messages while lying in a dark room is a gift! Now, I’d like to share the gift of Joëlle’s interview!
Joëlle Retener is the author of Marley’s Pride a Stonewall Honor book, which received starred reviews from Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly, and Booklist, and OUR WORLD: USA. Their forthcoming books include MADINA’S BIG, FABULOUS, WIN and its sequel (Disney Hyperion ’26), and BELLY GROWLS (Henry Holt 27′). As a Black Kreyol, disabled, nonbinary creative, Joëlle believes that art is a vehicle to rewrite and reimagine outdated narratives about historically marginalized communities. Joëlle is a proud graduate of Spelman College and American University. They are represented by James McGowan at Bookends Literary Agency. Learn more: www.joelleretener.com
The #creativeprocess can be a mess. A nightmare! But after years of writing, I’ve also learned that…
In this blog post for The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators I share discoveries I’ve gleaned from working with writing students for nearly two decades. I also admit what my own process can be like (A NIGHTMARE!). I hope this offers you hope! And I hope it encourages you to embrace your unique way of creating art — sans despair.
🎨 This post is dedicated to my friend Heather @heathersowordy for starting it all with her art and kindness, and to Brandi @brandidoyle81 for being there, too! I love you, neighbors! It’s also dedicated to everyone creating joy in hard times.
💜 Stay tuned for blog posts every Thursday this June at SCBWI: The Official Blog!
As we await the decision from the U.S. Supreme Court about Mahmoud v. Taylor, here is an interview I gave with PEN America, who has supported the authors and illustrators throughout this season.
Life was a blur as I wrote this. Those of us involved in the case were in a whirlwind of speaking out, worrying about the children affected by this case, trying to stay firm despite misinformation and fear mongering. I’m thankful for this opportunity to share! Be sure to check out the interviews with my other colleagues from the “SCOTUS BANNED BOOK CLUB,” too!
Thanks to those advocating for children’s freedom to read! Every small action makes a big difference!
![Green background, white text inside a wavy-lined box, with rainbow star fringe along the top. "Times like these can tear our souls and communities apart. It's easy to despair. But adversity reminds us [of our] need [for] each other... of the importance of our smallest action... of the value of laughter - that sign that we are yet alive and unconquered."](https://charlotteswild.com/wp-content/uploads/2-5-300x169.png)
!["Especially at a time when there is so much struggle within our community... To be reminded [of] radical joy... is a gift."](https://charlotteswild.com/wp-content/uploads/4-300x169.png)
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