Debut You is an interview feature on Our Stories Matter blog. Debut authors, who have released or have upcoming releases in 2023, are given five questions to answer about themselves and their book. Currently, the questions are the same for all authors. We hope you enjoy getting to know Ron Grady and can offer your support. Go here for past Debut You features.
Describe yourself in five words, then expound on one of them.
Oh gosh—the five words off the top of my head would have to be: kind, imaginative, focused, idealistic, and sincere. In this section, I’ll focus on imaginative since one thing I love to do, which likely comes as no surprise, is to make up stories. I am always imagining stories. In fact, if people knew how much I daydreamed, they would probably be surprised! I think that having a vivid imagination is one of the most important things to have when it comes to creating stories. After all, a picture book is always a fusion of real events filtered through words and pictures generated through a mixture of reality and imagination. Imagination is the engine of engaging storytelling, and it is one of the things about myself I hope to hold onto forever.
Explain your book’s journey—how long did it take—from idea to publication?
From idea to publication, it took just around two-and-a-half years! Benny and his story came to me in the summer of 2020, but in reality, Benny is an evolution of a character who’s been with me for nearly six years!
I first shared a version of the manuscript and illustrations with my agent in late 2020. By the spring of 2021, I was working away at the book with my phenomenal editor Stacey who really supported me every step of the way as I found my way into what is now the final form of this lovely story!
Belief in oneself is important; besides you, who has been your cheerleader(s) throughout this process?
A few people have really been there for me unendingly. My partner Josh has been rooting for me since day one, literally buying me the iPad I used to digitize and finalize the artwork and always encouraging me to go for my dreams. My sister, who is the root of my creative and imaginative streaks, and my brother-in-law Sean, himself an artist, who told me to just go for it! Also, a special shout-out to my mother-in-law for coming up with Benny’s name—this book totally feels like a family affair!
Understanding your audience is essential. What do you know for sure about the audience you are writing for?
I know for sure that the audience for whom I write is imaginative, excitable, and curious about the world around them. I know that they, children of color and all children, are constantly making connections between their lives and the world.
Tell us about your book.
What Does Brown Mean to You? follows Benny throughout a day in his life where he plays, creates, cooks, dances, climbs trees, splashes in mud, and spends time with his mom, dad, grandparents, and pup. It is a story for brown children, affirming the beauty of their skin, their lives, and the love that they have within communities of care. It is a story for all children—for play, the arts, and connection to the natural world constitute languages of expression and inquiry. It is a story about love, inspired directly by my experiences as a Black boy and by my work as a preschool teacher!
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 absolutely surreal! I am so elated that this work is in the world now, and I can’t believe that this dream is a reality.
Right now, I’ve got another children’s picture book in the works that I’m excited to share more about when the time comes, and I’ve actually recently finished a third piece that I’m fiddling around with to see where it goes. In the meantime, however, I’m elated to celebrate this story and all that it means and has meant to me. I hope the book becomes a classic addition to works of literature that affirm identity and can be part of classroom units on colors for years to come.
You can support our mission by clicking on the image above to donate via PayPal. If you wish to send a donation, please mail to BCBA, PO Box 34334, Memphis, TN 38184. BCBA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and all gifts are tax-deductible. Thank you!
