Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL), in conjunction with the Fort Bend County Diversity Over Division Initiative, will present a special series – “Author Spotlight: Voices of Diversity” – during the month of February. Local African-American authors Tonya Duncan Ellis, Deborah D.E.E.P Mouton, and Crystal Allen will share their insight and experiences in online, livestreamed interviews.
Hear about the authors’ journeys to having their books published, challenges they faced along the way, and the inspiration behind their passion for writing. Viewers will have an opportunity to submit questions for the authors and ask about their books and their experiences.
The series will kick off on Saturday, February 6, at 2:00 pm, with an interview with Tonya Duncan Ellis. A former journalist, Ellis is the author of the Amazon bestselling Sophie Washington children’s book series. She is also a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Authors Guild.
On Saturday, February 20, at 2:00 pm, the featured author is Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton. An internationally-known writer, educator, activist, and performer, Mouton is a Poet Laureate Emeritus of Houston. Formerly ranked the #2 best female performance poet in the world, Mouton has established herself as a notable force in the performance- and slam-poetry world. Her work has appeared in Houston Noir, The BreakBeat Poets Black Girl Magic, the Texas Observer, and Fjords Journal, and on platforms such as NPR, BBC, ABC, Apple News, Blavity, Upworthy, and across the TedX circuit.
The final author spotlight will feature Crystal Allen on Saturday, February 27, at 2:00 pm. The author of the Mya Tybbs middle school series, Allen works extensively with schools across Texas to encourage children to write their stories. A recipient of the SCBWI Sid Fleischman Humor Award in 2018 for The Magnificent Mya Tibbs, Allen has also received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and School Library Journal. Her books have been featured on multiple state book-award lists, including the Texas Bluebonnet Award list.
This online event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required; a link to the Webex sessions will be emailed to all who register. To register online at the library’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select “Virtual Programs,” and find the programs.
For more information, call FBCL’s Communications Office at 281-633-4734.
