Debut You is an interview feature on Our Stories Matter blog. Debut authors, who have released or have upcoming releases in 2022, are given six questions to answer about themselves and their book. Currently, the questions are the same for all authors. We hope you enjoy getting to know K. Ibura and can offer your support. Go here for more Debut You features.
Describe yourself in five words, then expound on one of them.
Creative, tenacious, curious, loving, and connected.
The combination of these five words shows up in my work and my life in how I approach the world and approach both writing and making visual art. I think of curiosity as an empowered state that leads me through many adventures in my life. Knowing can be like a closed door. Of course, we need knowledge to navigate the world. But when you know everything, you can’t expand on your limits or discover new interests or explore new worlds. I think every book-writing adventure starts with a healthy dose of curiosity. The author asks, “What would happen if….” Holding that curiosity throughout the process is part of the magic of being a writer.
Explain your book’s journey—how long did it take—from idea to publication?
When the World Turned Upside Down took one year and nine months from idea to publication. It was originally supposed to come out in November 2021, so that would have been one year and seven months from idea to publication. This was a surprise book. I’ve been working on a YA novel for years, and a casual meeting with an author turned into us pitching and publishing this book! In terms of writing, I submitted the outline in May 2020 and turned in the final manuscript in January 2021, so it was lightning fast. Given its contemporary focus on the pandemic, we didn’t want the production schedule to drag too much. Because this book happened in the middle of projects that were taking forever to develop, I was determined to focus on completion and not sweat the small stuff in the process. I trusted my editor, turned in rougher drafts than I would have for my first round, and allowed everything to develop draft by draft. At every stage, from concepting to outlining to drafting, the story was there. The characters emerged fully formed and evolving, and the plotline was a natural process. This book was a story that was ready to be told!
Belief in oneself is important; besides you, who has been your cheerleader(s) throughout this process?
I am surrounded by cheerleaders, from my daughter to my parents and siblings, my friends, and my editor. I’ve been writing for a very long time. Over my writing career, I’ve been over hills and down in valleys. Some years, I’ve been confident and tenacious—sure that I was going to succeed with a novel project. Other years, I’ve been withdrawn and burnt out—sure that writing wasn’t going to be my path. My entire community was thrilled and excited to hear that I’d taken on this project. My daughter watched over me, making sure I had food and drink—and making sure I rested and didn’t push myself too hard. Siblings and friends checked in—and they never fail to ask, even now, what’s happening with the book. I feel lucky to have so much support.
Understanding your audience is essential. What do you know for sure about the audience you are writing for?
This question causes some friction for me. Authors are expected to take on so much more of the business of writing these days. Understanding your audience and knowing how to market to them is just one of the many functions we’re tasked with. This work of keeping yourself afloat, managing your public persona, building a world of access for your readers is completely separate from the actual work of writing. I appreciate and love my readers. I will connect with them until the cows come home, but ultimately, I’m not writing for them. On the one hand, it goes back to what I said about curiosity vs. knowing. If I claimed to know my audience, I’d be limiting who reads my work. My readers are profoundly diverse, and they self-select. My readers are those who love to read my work. They may be of many different ages, cultural, religious and racial backgrounds, professions, and identities. I would never want to limit them to the scope of who I imagine is reading my work. On the other hand, it’s not in my DNA to perform. I truly believe that every human being is here with something authentic to bring to this earth. For writers, we have our unique voice, and we’re here to express it as authentically as possible. My allegiance is to the story. My dedication is to my creativity. My gratitude is to my readers.All that being said, I imagine that my readers like to think, feel, and explore their imagination—because all those things are involved in reading my work.
Tell us about your book.
When the World Turned Upside follows four friends—Shayla, Liam, Ai, and Ben—as they grapple with the sea of change in 2020. It dives into their lives as they navigate the unexpected changes that COVID-19 brought to our lives, as well as the deep social justice questions that were explored in 2020. The book starts with the shock of school closing and walks through the struggle and isolation each kid faces as they manage the loss of their normal lives. As they’re trying to understand what’s happening in their families and regain equilibrium, they soon realize they aren’t the only ones struggling. They find others in their apartment complex who need help with a variety of things and band together to support their building community and find their voices on questions of social justice, friendship, and identity.
YOU did it, congratulations! Your story is going to be read by children or teens, educators, parents, librarians, book bloggers, etc. How do you feel, and are there any other projects in the works—that you can discuss?
It feels amazing to be getting this book out to readers. Even though it’s not yet in bookstores, it has arrived in some classrooms through Scholastic Book Clubs. And getting notes from those teachers about discussions they’ve been having with their students has been amazing. It also feels amazing to be publishing my first novel. After over 30 years of writing, I’m experiencing something new. Funny story: I published a story called “Rosamojo” in an anthology in 2003. It’s written from the POV of a young girl. An editor sent me a note after that asking if I write for young people, and I said, “No.” And all these years later, the novels I imagined writing never materialized, and I am writing for young people. So, I’m not only excited about getting this novel out to readers, but I’m also excited about reaching this place in my career where I’m not putting up boundaries on what I do and don’t write. I’m exploring the possibilities of my craft and allowing myself to approach the journey with an attitude of discovery.
In terms of what’s in the works, I’m on the final few drafts of a novel about a teenager with mysterious powers who is raised in isolation by her grandmother. When her grandmother becomes ill, she is thrust out into the outside world, where she must learn what it means to be a teenager—all while confronting mysterious forces that are connected to her powers. It’s set in my hometown of New Orleans and marks a return to speculative fiction writing for me. I can’t wait for readers to meet the characters and fall in love with the world!
When the World Turned Upside Down
K. Ibura | Scholastic | February 1, 2022 | MG | 288 Pages | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
K. Ibura was born as the middle child in a family of seven (five kids plus parents!) in New Orleans, Louisiana. When they weren’t disagreeing about everything, K. Ibura and her siblings played competitive rounds of jacks and a card game called Crazy Eights. They also built insane obstacle courses throughout the house involving stacked chairs, sheets, and timers. Her parents were independent thinkers who filled the home with music, culture, and strong principles. Today, she lives in Brooklyn, where she makes art, writes, and does puzzles while her daughter cheers her on.
Connect with K. Ibura
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