The publishing industry is changing. There is a broader definition now of what storytelling looks like, and who storytellers are. But change is coming painfully slowly, and it needs to be changed from all fronts, including accepting that there are different, beautiful, engaging ways to tell a story than we have previously seen on our shelves, in our classrooms, and in our workshops.

The traditional workshop model worked for those whose stories were traditionally acceptable, stories that often perpetuated bias and cut out many voices. I work to educate myself about storytelling from different cultures. I actively seek new ways to create workshops that embrace different story styles and push the individual creator forward. I love the low-residency model of the Creative Writing program because I can individualize instruction for each mentee.

It is, I hope, a way to break new ground while also cracking open something for each writer. The goal is to find stories that only you can tell, and the format that best serves the story, and then focusing on the craft that illuminates both. It is tough, careful work, and my favorite thing about teaching.

Learn more about Tracey Baptise on her website.

Work

Books

MERMAID AND PIRATE (2023)

HISTORY COMICS: ROSA PARKS AND CLAUDETTE COLVIN (2023)

BECAUSE CLAUDETTE (2022)

MARLEY AND THE FAMILY BAND (2022)

AFRICAN ICONS: TEN PEOPLE WHO BUILT A CONTINENT (2021)

LOOKING FOR A JUMBIE (2021)

THE TALK (2020)

THE JUMBIE GOD’S REVENGE (2019)

MINECRAFT: THE CRASH (2018)

THE CREATIVITY PROJECT (2018)

IF YOU WERE A KID IN THE WILD WEST (2018)

RISE OF THE JUMBIES (2017)

SYCORAX’S DAUGHTERS (2017)

THE TOTALLY GROSS HISTORY OF ANCIENT EGYPT (2016)

THE JUMBIES (2015)

NELSON MANDELA (2015)

SHARON CREECH (2011)

AL GORE, BIOGRAPHY (2011)

STEPHENIE MEYER (2010)

MADELEINE L'ENGLE  (2009)

OVERCOMING PREJUDICE (2009)

BEING A LEADER AND MAKING DECISIONS (2009)

JERRY SPINELLI (2009)

ANGEL'S GRACE (2005)

Awards

Tracey is a New York Times bestselling author. Angel’s Grace was named one of the 100 best books for reading and sharing. The Jumbies series of books have been named Junior Library Guild Selections and received multiple starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus, and Booklist.

Education

M.Ed., Elementary Education, New York University 
BA, English and Comparative Literature, New York University

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