FIRST AUTHOR VISIT
Ten Years of Malaika, part 1
It’s 2026 and I feel like I’ve been on a ten year publicity tour since my first picture book Malaika’s Costume was released in March 2016. And although my first 2 books Music and Media were published in 2015, they were also launched in 2016. Ten Years of Malaika… is a series of posts remembering, reflecting, and celebrating 10 years of being an author on my experiences in writing and publishing. Join me!
#tbt #throwback
February 11, 2016
New York City, NY
My very first book talk/author visit ever was at my nephew’s school in New York City. It went very well where I shared my first book, MALAIKA’S COSTUME, a whole month before it’s March 5, 2016 release. (As you can see here, I tried to dress like my lead character. Now, I wear a more fabulous dress when I present.) The kids were very cute, engaged, and asked lots of questions. I even got them to dance to soca. #malaikascostume
I learned a very painful lesson that week. Don’t trust the postal service to deliver your soon to be released debut picture book. I couldn’t locate the books as there was no proper tracking. I spent hours making calls trying to track it down (Canada Post only tracks the package while in Canada, so I had to go through the US postal service.). The box arrived damaged the day after my presentation, even though families had pre-purchased the books. The cardboard box had been roughly retakes together, but there were holes in it, a book missing, and many of the books were damaged. I was almost in tears. 😭 My first book. Thank God for insurance. I got the books replaced and learned that my publisher, Groundwood Books, distributes books in the US via its US distribution partner. Skids of my book were sitting in 1 of 2 warehouses in the US. SWEET! But, still a hard lesson to learn.
At the time, I was the author of 3 books all being released in 2016,separated, and teaching full-time. Nevertheless, I’m so thankful for this experience and the sweet memory. Yes, I tried to cosplay Malaika in a dress that barely fit me (and loved) 🥰. And yes, most of these kids can get their driver’s license this year. But, the presentation was a little chaotic but simple, experimental, and so much fun. It’s among my cherished memories. I relied on my teaching and teen summer camp leader experiences and my sister and school staff to make it all work. Looking forward to 10+ more years of books 📚 and presentations.
RIP to my nephew’s kindergarten teacher who since passed away.
