Debut You is an interview feature on Our Stories Matter blog. Debut authors, who have released or have upcoming releases in 2021, 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 Anne Wynter and can offer your support. Go here for more Debut You features.
Describe yourself in five words, then expound on one of them.
Curious, creative, analytical, competitive and funny.
I’ve always loved doing creative activities. When I was little, I frequently dragged my parents to art supplies stores and spent hours on craft projects. Then I fell in love with theatre and acting. At one point, I was sure I would grow up to be a professional actor on Broadway. And it feels like creative writing has always been a part of my life, whether I was working on short stories, plays, or books for children.
Explain your book’s journey—how long did it take—from idea to publication?
The journey from writing the book to signing with an agent and then getting a book deal was relatively quick—about six months in all. But that whole process happened in 2017, and the book is coming out about four years later. So that’s been the long part.
Because I used to work in publishing, I wasn’t surprised by the long road to publication. But I also haven’t minded waiting. It gave me time to wrap my mind around the fact that I actually have a book coming out!
Balance is the key to successful living. How do you balance the act of writing with other priorities, such as your job, family or fun activities, and self-care?
Balance is something I haven’t figured out yet. Throw in a global pandemic and two young kids, and it feels almost impossible! Over the years, waking up very early has been a big part of finding balance. I like to write, work out, and tackle big projects in the mornings. Even if I can’t do it consistently (especially not during the winter, when it’s so hard to get out of a warm bed!), I keep trying.
Understanding your audience is essential. What do you know for sure about the audience you are writing for?
I know for sure that kids need to see themselves in books and that they also need to see characters who are different from them in meaningful ways. When it comes to the parents and caregivers of young kids—who are also an important part of the picture book audience—I know they’re probably pretty tired! As a tired parent myself, I’ve always loved picture books that give my kids and me a sense of comfort.
Tell us about your book.
Everybody in the Red Brick Building is a picture book that takes place in an apartment building in the city. When a baby cries in the middle of the night, it kicks off a chain reaction of noises that wakes up everyone in the building. After the (sleepy) grownups help settle the kids back down for the night, the sounds of the city slowly lull everybody back to sleep.
The book is brilliantly and gorgeously illustrated by Caldecott-honoree Oge Mora. It comes out in October, and I can’t wait for you to read it!
Everybody in the Red Brick Building
Oge Mora | Balzer + Bray | October 12, 2021 | PB | 32 Pages | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
Anne Wynter is originally from Houston, Texas, and currently lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, their two children, and a cat. In addition to writing children’s books, she’s written more than a dozen short plays that have been produced around the country. Anne earned a degree in drama from Washington University in St. Louis, received a certificate in short story writing from the University of Chicago, and studied writing for children at the Writing Barn.
Connect with Anne Wynter
If you believe BCBA provides a valuable service, please take a few minutes to donate and support our mission to promote awareness of children’s and young adult literature by Black authors.
Amazon/Bookshop/IndieBound Disclosure: BCBA is a participant in the Amazon, Bookshop, and IndieBound Affiliate Programs. The affiliate programs offer participants the opportunity to earn fees by linking to Amazon, Bookshop, and IndieBound websites. Clicking on the book links will direct you away from this site. Thanks for your support!
