Author Event: Angie Thomas at The Watershed, Bristol
Yesterday I attended the Angie Thomas book event at the Watershed in Bristol for the launch of her debut novel The Hate U Give in the UK (which Angie was surprised we would be interested in considering our police officers don't carry guns on their person like they do in America). There's a lot of internet hype going around the social mediasphere for this book, but essentially it's about a young girl named Starr who witnesses the death of her unarmed friend by a police officer in America, and all of the events that follow this tragic shooting. If that's not enough to draw you into reading this book, then read on dear reader.
I have attended a handful of author/book events in the last few years, but I would say out of all of them, this was the most eye-opening and inspiring talks I've ever been to. I've met a small handful of YA (predominantly fantasy) authors who talk about their books, but it was nothing like this. Angie's book is nothing like I've read before, mainly because there isn't many books out there like hers but the premise intrigued me, but so did that striking US cover (which Angie had to fight to have the girls head on the cover instead of just arms and legs; and which her mother prefers the UK cover as she feels like it suits the narrative better). However, after hearing Julie from Pages and Pens absolutely rave about this book during her borrow-a-thon, I just knew I had to pick it up. Although I haven't actually started it yet, hearing Angie talk about this book before I've read it, listening to the inspiration for it, how it evolved from a short story to a novel length book aimed at teenagers/young adults, and the response she's had from it from both black and white readers of all ages was incredible. I'm just itching to start it.
For the duration of the event Angie told us how there just isn't many diverse books out there; written by people of colour or about people of colour, let alone with a person of colour on the cover of the book. It just doesn't sell. This isn't necessarily that there aren't writers out there or stories to be told, it's just they feel like no one would be interested in hearing their story or wanting to publish it as the publishing industry (both in and outside of publishing houses) is predominantly white dominated. However, she did say that more people in this generation are switched on and are wanting to change this, but it will take a while before it has a major impact on publishing in general, but mostly in YA fiction.
As an aspiring author myself, as well as hearing about the content of the book and the publishing industry, it was great to hear the process of the story and how it came about. Angie started writing this at "uni" (as she adapted for us British with a laugh) as a short story in her creative writing class but didn't feel her story wanted to be heard. However she revisited the short story when police brutality on unarmed citizens in America including children was becoming more frequent and as a result, publicised in the media. Instead of protesting her outcry through marches or violence, she took to writing which is just as a strong piece of objection against the issue as the above. This book has now been on the New York Time best sellers list for the last five weeks which is incredible for a debut author who didn't think her story wanted to be heard. She wants this book to be a window for all people of colour to either see themselves in a book, to know that their story can be heard, to dispel the myth that people of colour cannot read and to let the world know that this work may be fiction, the story demands to be heard!
During the space of an hour, Angie touched on so many points which I wish I could relay in the way she did, but all I can say is she is so humble, down to earth and inspiring. I was lucky enough to meet her after the event, have my copy of the book signed and have a photograph taken with her. Going forward, I'm going to soak in every word of The Hate U Give and make sure as many people read this book as possible. Hearing Angie Thomas read an excerpt of this book in her own words, her own voice and accent, it felt that much more real and immersive that it will stick with me for a very long time, much like the points she touched on during the event. Considering I only decided to go at the very last minute, I am so grateful I was able to attend and get so much out of the event. I cannot wait to see what Angie comes up with next - hopefully a fantasy book as she started out as a fantasy writer!
I have attended a handful of author/book events in the last few years, but I would say out of all of them, this was the most eye-opening and inspiring talks I've ever been to. I've met a small handful of YA (predominantly fantasy) authors who talk about their books, but it was nothing like this. Angie's book is nothing like I've read before, mainly because there isn't many books out there like hers but the premise intrigued me, but so did that striking US cover (which Angie had to fight to have the girls head on the cover instead of just arms and legs; and which her mother prefers the UK cover as she feels like it suits the narrative better). However, after hearing Julie from Pages and Pens absolutely rave about this book during her borrow-a-thon, I just knew I had to pick it up. Although I haven't actually started it yet, hearing Angie talk about this book before I've read it, listening to the inspiration for it, how it evolved from a short story to a novel length book aimed at teenagers/young adults, and the response she's had from it from both black and white readers of all ages was incredible. I'm just itching to start it.
For the duration of the event Angie told us how there just isn't many diverse books out there; written by people of colour or about people of colour, let alone with a person of colour on the cover of the book. It just doesn't sell. This isn't necessarily that there aren't writers out there or stories to be told, it's just they feel like no one would be interested in hearing their story or wanting to publish it as the publishing industry (both in and outside of publishing houses) is predominantly white dominated. However, she did say that more people in this generation are switched on and are wanting to change this, but it will take a while before it has a major impact on publishing in general, but mostly in YA fiction.
As an aspiring author myself, as well as hearing about the content of the book and the publishing industry, it was great to hear the process of the story and how it came about. Angie started writing this at "uni" (as she adapted for us British with a laugh) as a short story in her creative writing class but didn't feel her story wanted to be heard. However she revisited the short story when police brutality on unarmed citizens in America including children was becoming more frequent and as a result, publicised in the media. Instead of protesting her outcry through marches or violence, she took to writing which is just as a strong piece of objection against the issue as the above. This book has now been on the New York Time best sellers list for the last five weeks which is incredible for a debut author who didn't think her story wanted to be heard. She wants this book to be a window for all people of colour to either see themselves in a book, to know that their story can be heard, to dispel the myth that people of colour cannot read and to let the world know that this work may be fiction, the story demands to be heard!
During the space of an hour, Angie touched on so many points which I wish I could relay in the way she did, but all I can say is she is so humble, down to earth and inspiring. I was lucky enough to meet her after the event, have my copy of the book signed and have a photograph taken with her. Going forward, I'm going to soak in every word of The Hate U Give and make sure as many people read this book as possible. Hearing Angie Thomas read an excerpt of this book in her own words, her own voice and accent, it felt that much more real and immersive that it will stick with me for a very long time, much like the points she touched on during the event. Considering I only decided to go at the very last minute, I am so grateful I was able to attend and get so much out of the event. I cannot wait to see what Angie comes up with next - hopefully a fantasy book as she started out as a fantasy writer!
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