Debut You is an interview feature on Our Stories Matter blog. Debut authors who have released or have upcoming releases in 2023 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 RaQia Lowo and can offer your support. Go here for past Debut You features.
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Describe yourself in five words, then expound on one of them.
Whenever someone asks me to explain what I do or sum myself up in a few words, I’m thrown off. I usually say something like, “I can show you better than I can tell you.” But since I am a writer and an educator, I will answer the question. The five words that describe me are creative, childlike, empathetic, quirky, and resilient.
Although all these words and then some make up who I am, my resilience has kept me afloat during many difficult times and medical nightmares. I wrote my debut book while living with debilitating spine pain and a host of problems from a botched surgery. I’m promoting and launching my book while recovering from a two-level spinal fusion. Even as I write this blog, my book’s availability and listings are problematic. I almost put off submitting to this blog, but—I’m resilient! Plus, there must be a reason for and a reward at the end of this struggle.
Explain your book’s journey—how long did it take—from idea to publication?
In 2020, I took a chapter book class and wrote my first chapter book, which I was sure would be a hit! HAHA-HA! I queried that book with little success. Around August 2021, I was asked by the class instructor (now my editor) to write another story about Black boys. I came up with the idea of a kid who hated school and paired him with a best friend who loved it. The story took off from there. I submitted my first draft in early September 2021, edited the manuscript several times, and signed my first contract in December 2021! My book was published on September 12, 2023.
Belief in oneself is important; besides you, who has been your cheerleader(s) throughout this process?
My faith in God has helped me maintain belief in myself through the promises of His word. I believe certain people are placed in your path to lift your spirits and guide you when the path is unclear. My son, Keanu Lowo, has been that person. He is an avid reader and writer. He also says the hard sayings that I need to hear. I call him my in-house editor. More importantly, he’s been a constant shoulder and ear with heart when the writing process or life becomes overwhelming. He’s also my hype man when I’m elated.
I’m also fortunate to have a great editor, Winsome Bingham. She believed in me and the first story I wrote. Dr. Sheryl Robinson, a former colleague and supportive educator friend, is another person who has always been there with me for the kids!
Understanding your audience is essential. What do you know for sure about the audience you are writing for?
I’m going to slide a couple of my character traits in here. My childlike spirit is one of my most useful tools in writing for children. I’m like five going on 15. Basically, I speak “kid.” Not as an official language, but more like an ability to relate to kids.
As a former Pre-K teacher and paraprofessional, I’ve worked with a diverse group of children throughout the years. Their stories and unconditional love touched me and made me a better person. I have empathized with their struggles and celebrated their successes. I have met many “Weekends” who would rather be any place else but school, and I can relate, which is one of the reasons I write for reluctant readers. I am one myself.
Not growing up with characters in stories that looked like me deterred me from developing a love for books, making me the odd man out in the writing community. However, being a reluctant reader gives me an “in” with the kids. I tell them, “I don’t like to read either, but I can!” They’re usually surprised yet relieved by my words. Now, I have a resource to help kids learn to read and hopefully enjoy it.
Tell us about your book.
Weekend and Zay: Saturday School is a series about two friends with opposite takes on school. Zay loves it. Weekend, not so much. They’re also opposites in the way they speak. Weekend speaks slang for days, while Zay is a walking-talking encyclopedia. It’s almost like the two friends are code-switching for the reader.
In the first book, Zay volunteers Weekend for a Saturday School event that he’s hyped about. Although Zay did it to help Weekend raise his grades, Weekend didn’t know that, and he’s furious! Without giving away too much of the story, I can say that these besties resolve their issue. It’s a series, after all. So, there’s plenty of opportunity for these scholar-opposites to get into more conflict resolution kid-uations due to differences of opinion.
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?
Besides the other two Weekend and Zay books in the series, I don’t have anything else under contract. I’m currently querying and hoping to sign my middle-grade story about a quirky Black girl with a unique name and zany personality to match. My current work-in-progress (WIP) is a middle-grade sci-fi fantasy fairytale with an urban spin.
In the Kidlit industry, I call myself an “Old-school Newbie.” It has taken me a long time to find my niche in life. I’m thankful and thrilled that writing books for reluctant readers with an urban voice is the avenue my journey has led me to. Telling stories for kids from their perspective is not only a pleasure—it’s also an honor.
Weekend & Zay: Saturday School
RaQia Lowo | Christian Paniagua | Reycraft Books | September 12, 2023 | Chp Bk | Amazon | Bookshop
RaQia Lowo has worked with children for over 20 years…She is the founder of Motivational Educators, a creative academic mentoring company for struggling students. She is known for her child-like sense of humor, love of song and dance, creativity, and her delicious cakes and dishes. She was born in Harlem, NY, and has two adult sons whom she affectionately calls her Boyz2Men. She writes chapter books and middle-grade novels with an urban voice geared toward reluctant readers and rhyming picture books. Fun fact! RaQia has an alter ego named Lady Lo who raps to motivate children to succeed.
Connect with RaQia Lowo: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
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