I grew up in Maryland for most of my life. PENELOPE: I was originally going to set the book in Harlem, but it was during the pandemic. So, yeah, it is a millennial kind of thing to have happened - is inspired by a tweet. And it was a Harlem renaissance fantasy heist. I don't remember exactly when, but I saw a tweet, like, a manuscript wish-list type of tweet that agents and editors often make to say what they're looking for. OK, so right out the gate, like, I want to ask about the inspiration for your latest novels - you know, "Goliath" and "The Monsters We Defy." And so, Leslye, I think you have, like, the most millennial impetus for, like, an origin of writing "The Monsters We Defy" in that is was like - saw it on Twitter. PARKER: And so at the festival, we discussed what creating those two worlds looks like. So, you know, he knew what he was talking about. And all that's left of a climate-destroyed planet are the poor and the people of color.īATES: That's not all that far off the mark because most of the wealthy white people in New Haven, except for a tiny sliver, are in the suburbs that surround New Haven at this point. PARKER: Well, Tochi's New Haven is where all of the white people and the wealthy people have fled Earth. Much fantastical about it when I was there.īATES: So Tochi's - how's - what's in Tochi's New Haven? PARKER: His new novel, "Goliath," is about 2050 New Haven, Conn.īATES: Because I was born and raised in New Haven, Conn. And Tochi Onyebuchi is known for his YA novel, "Riot Baby." PARKER: They're on the body of Josephine Baker - you know, everyday, normal stuff. Leslye Penelope's latest novel called "The Monsters We Defy," takes place in a fantastical version of 1920s Washington, D.C., where a young Black woman who talks to spirits goes on, like, a jewelry heist adventure.īATES: And what's the jewels she - or the jewel or jewels she's supposed to be heisting? But, like, I actually learned a lot doing this panel about how two authors build their characters and their worlds. Like, bless "The Hobbit," but that's just not. Like, I wasn't seeking out speculative fiction or, you know, sci-fi worlds. I was a "Twilight Zone" kid, but I wouldn't say I was a fantasy person per se. Parker, are you a fantasy person? Do you normally read fantasy? Jemisin or Octavia Butler or Colson Whitehead.īATES: Yep. Because - yeah, because at the festival, the audience was full of young and old Black sci-fi and fantasy readers who are obsessed with, you know, N.K. PARKER: It sounds like they're leaving money on the table. PARKER: So luckily enough, you know, for my first National Book Festival, I got to moderate a panel that focused on two Black fantasy authors, Leslye Penelope and Tochi Onyebuchi.īATES: And that's really interesting that there was a panel with two Black fantasy writers at the festival because for a long time in the publishing world, people who ran it would say, Black people don't do fantasy. I think I bought a pair of socks that look like "The Snowy Day" cover. PARKER: Oh, I totally, like, wandered the floor buying things that I did not need. It's, like - there is something for everybody there. It is not a festival that only features high literature. And I grew up in Maryland, and, like, I had never heard of it.īATES: And really, the festival is designed for everyone. And I feel terrible because this event's been going on for over 20 years in D.C. They even had Nick Offerman from "Parks And Recreation" discuss the American frontier. They had Black women who write about their sewing. I mean, this year they had Janelle Monae. PARKER: For those of you who don't know, the National Book Festival is this book event in Washington, D.C., created by the Library of Congress at the behest of then-first lady Laura Bush. Despite that, though, I had a great time. Karen, have you ever been to the National Book Festival?īATES: I did for the first time last year, Parker.īATES: But because of COVID, it was virtual. PARKER: And this is CODE SWITCH from NPR. So come rock with us November 2 at the Studebaker Theater. So we have some very special guests, including a special musical guest. So we are coming your way for our very first live show since the pandemic shut everything down. GENE DEMBY, BYLINE: Chicago, what's good? We have missed y'all, but allow us to rectify that.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |