If you only know Tracey Baptiste as the author of the Jumbie books, you have a very limited view of her range. Tracey Baptiste has range of books from picture books to YA and from non fiction children's books to biographies of Young Adult authors. Her scope of interest and expertise is impressive
Steve and Tracey discussed her upcoming book releases, including a middle-grade fantasy and a science fiction story, and the impact of marketing on the classification and sale of books. They also talked about the popularity of their "jumpies" book series, the importance of children's access to culturally distinct books, and the benefits of having multiple projects in progress. Lastly, they shared their creative processes, with Tracey emphasizing the value of multiple drafts and seeking feedback from trusted sources.
Summary
Steven and Tracey discussed her upcoming book releases, including a middle-grade fantasy and a science fiction story, and the impact of marketing on the classification and sale of books. They also talked about the popularity of their "jumpies" book series, the importance of children's access to culturally distinct books, and the benefits of having multiple projects in progress. Lastly, they shared their creative processes, with Tracey emphasizing the value of multiple drafts and seeking feedback from trusted sources.
Steven and Tracey discussed her upcoming book releases, including a middle-grade fantasy and a science fiction story, and the impact of marketing on the classification and sale of books. They also talked about the popularity of their "jumpies" book series, the importance of children's access to culturally distinct books, and the benefits of having multiple projects in progress. Lastly, they shared their creative processes, with Tracey emphasizing the value of multiple drafts and seeking feedback from trusted sources.
Tracey's Upcoming Books Discussed
Steven and Tracey discussed her upcoming books. Tracey revealed that she has two new books coming out, with one scheduled for release in August. The first is a middle-grade fantasy titled "Moko Magic Carnival Chaos," which is inspired by the Caribbean legend of the Moko Jumbi. The story follows three cousins who inherit the powers of their ancestral Moko Jumbi and must use their abilities to save the Caribbean Day Parade from a magical creature. The second book is a sequel to her best-known series, "The Jumpies."
Steven and Tracey discussed her upcoming books. Tracey revealed that she has two new books coming out, with one scheduled for release in August. The first is a middle-grade fantasy titled "Moko Magic Carnival Chaos," which is inspired by the Caribbean legend of the Moko Jumbi. The story follows three cousins who inherit the powers of their ancestral Moko Jumbi and must use their abilities to save the Caribbean Day Parade from a magical creature. The second book is a sequel to her best-known series, "The Jumpies."
Upcoming Book Releases and Promotion Challenges
Tracey revealed that she has two upcoming book releases, one of which is a science fiction story for middle grade titled "Boy 2.0", inspired by the Snow White fairy tale. She also mentioned that the cover for this book, which she confirmed will remain the same, has been appreciated by Steven. Additionally, Tracey shared that her first novel, "Angels Grace", was published in 2005, but she did not know how to effectively promote it as a new author, leading to limited engagement with the book.
Tracey revealed that she has two upcoming book releases, one of which is a science fiction story for middle grade titled "Boy 2.0", inspired by the Snow White fairy tale. She also mentioned that the cover for this book, which she confirmed will remain the same, has been appreciated by Steven. Additionally, Tracey shared that her first novel, "Angels Grace", was published in 2005, but she did not know how to effectively promote it as a new author, leading to limited engagement with the book.
Tracey's Career Journey and Writing Influences
Tracey shared her career journey of working on nonfiction books for hire, including biographies, after her first book was published. She clarified that her first book, now considered a young adult novel, was written for an older audience and that her short stories traditionally fell into the young adult category. Steven learned about Tracey's experience and how it influenced her writing and understanding of the publishing industry. Tracey revealed that her early focus on her family might have prevented her from being more immersed in the industry at the start of her career.
Tracey shared her career journey of working on nonfiction books for hire, including biographies, after her first book was published. She clarified that her first book, now considered a young adult novel, was written for an older audience and that her short stories traditionally fell into the young adult category. Steven learned about Tracey's experience and how it influenced her writing and understanding of the publishing industry. Tracey revealed that her early focus on her family might have prevented her from being more immersed in the industry at the start of her career.
The Impact of Marketing on Book Classification and Sales
Steven and Tracey discussed the impact of marketing on the classification and sale of books. Steven highlighted how the cover art of a book can influence its intended audience, while Tracey explained the origin and significance of her Jumpies series, which blends Caribbean mythology and her love for fairy tales, specifically the Cinderella story. She shared that the first book in the Jumpies series, inspired by her childhood in Trinidad and her desire to introduce more jumpy stories to the world, remains her best-selling book.
Steven and Tracey discussed the impact of marketing on the classification and sale of books. Steven highlighted how the cover art of a book can influence its intended audience, while Tracey explained the origin and significance of her Jumpies series, which blends Caribbean mythology and her love for fairy tales, specifically the Cinderella story. She shared that the first book in the Jumpies series, inspired by her childhood in Trinidad and her desire to introduce more jumpy stories to the world, remains her best-selling book.
Tracey's Book Success and Middle-Grade Fiction
Tracey discussed the unexpected popularity of her book, which was published in 2015 and is still her highest selling one after almost a decade. Steven noted the rising recognition of middle-grade fiction during that time. Tracey explained that she adjusted the tone and content of her book to make it more suitable for middle-grade audiences, toning down the scary elements that initially concerned her editor. The changes included altering the motives of a main character from malice to hunger.
Tracey discussed the unexpected popularity of her book, which was published in 2015 and is still her highest selling one after almost a decade. Steven noted the rising recognition of middle-grade fiction during that time. Tracey explained that she adjusted the tone and content of her book to make it more suitable for middle-grade audiences, toning down the scary elements that initially concerned her editor. The changes included altering the motives of a main character from malice to hunger.
Misunderstanding 'Jumpies' Book Series
Steven and Tracey discussed the popularity of their book series about "jumpies," which are described as mischievous spirits. They talked about how these books, which are enjoyed by children, have been misunderstood by some adults, who associate them with the devil and other religious or cultural misconceptions. Tracey mentioned that she has not been directly informed of any book removals but has received questions about the content. Steven suggested that a lack of education about other cultures and histories may be contributing to this misunderstanding.
Steven and Tracey discussed the popularity of their book series about "jumpies," which are described as mischievous spirits. They talked about how these books, which are enjoyed by children, have been misunderstood by some adults, who associate them with the devil and other religious or cultural misconceptions. Tracey mentioned that she has not been directly informed of any book removals but has received questions about the content. Steven suggested that a lack of education about other cultures and histories may be contributing to this misunderstanding.
Culturally Diverse Books for Children
Steven and Tracey discussed the importance and benefits of children's access to culturally distinct books, particularly in school and library settings. They emphasized the value of children's ability to browse and discover books on their own, noting that this process can lead to a lifelong love of reading. They also expressed disappointment over the loss of middle grade book sections in bookstores and the poor funding of school libraries. Lastly, they joked about the writing process and the need for movement breaks.
Steven and Tracey discussed the importance and benefits of children's access to culturally distinct books, particularly in school and library settings. They emphasized the value of children's ability to browse and discover books on their own, noting that this process can lead to a lifelong love of reading. They also expressed disappointment over the loss of middle grade book sections in bookstores and the poor funding of school libraries. Lastly, they joked about the writing process and the need for movement breaks.
Tracey's Creative Process and Routine
Tracey discussed her creative process, which she realized was triggered by a routine she had been following unknowingly. This routine involved taking her children to school, observing a brief breakfast with her husband before he left for work, and then starting her writing day. She noted that recognizing this routine helped her get started even when she was not able to follow it exactly. Tracey also mentioned that she typically begins her writing with a tiny idea, which she develops into a full story, using a variety of colored sticky notes to organize her ideas. Steven acknowledged her explanation.
Tracey discussed her creative process, which she realized was triggered by a routine she had been following unknowingly. This routine involved taking her children to school, observing a brief breakfast with her husband before he left for work, and then starting her writing day. She noted that recognizing this routine helped her get started even when she was not able to follow it exactly. Tracey also mentioned that she typically begins her writing with a tiny idea, which she develops into a full story, using a variety of colored sticky notes to organize her ideas. Steven acknowledged her explanation.
Creative Process and Multiple Projects
Tracey explained her creative process for developing stories. She begins with a subconscious stream of ideas that she captures on sticky notes, which accumulate on her wall until they reach a critical mass. At this point, she starts to organize and connect the ideas, eventually moving them into a notebook where she writes a rough draft of the story. Steven, who has experience teaching and writing, shared his own approach, which involved capturing new ideas and then researching and planning before writing. Both agreed that having multiple projects in progress helps to keep the creative mind active and engaged.
Tracey explained her creative process for developing stories. She begins with a subconscious stream of ideas that she captures on sticky notes, which accumulate on her wall until they reach a critical mass. At this point, she starts to organize and connect the ideas, eventually moving them into a notebook where she writes a rough draft of the story. Steven, who has experience teaching and writing, shared his own approach, which involved capturing new ideas and then researching and planning before writing. Both agreed that having multiple projects in progress helps to keep the creative mind active and engaged.
Tracey's Writing Process and Approach
Steven and Tracey discussed the writing process, with Tracey explaining her approach to drafting. She highlighted the importance of allowing the story to evolve through multiple drafts before showing it to others. She also emphasized the value of seeking feedback from trusted sources, such as friends or writing partners, at specific stages of the writing process. Steven found this approach fascinating and was impressed by the level of preparation Tracey put into each draft.
Steven and Tracey discussed the writing process, with Tracey explaining her approach to drafting. She highlighted the importance of allowing the story to evolve through multiple drafts before showing it to others. She also emphasized the value of seeking feedback from trusted sources, such as friends or writing partners, at specific stages of the writing process. Steven found this approach fascinating and was impressed by the level of preparation Tracey put into each draft.
Tracey's Writing Process and NCTE Plans
Tracey shared her writing process and her preference for keeping her work private until she feels it's ready. She also revealed that she finds inspiration in poetry, which helps her approach her writing from a different perspective. Steven appreciated her process and acknowledged her comfort level with it. They also discussed their plans to attend the NCTE conference later in the year.
Tracey shared her writing process and her preference for keeping her work private until she feels it's ready. She also revealed that she finds inspiration in poetry, which helps her approach her writing from a different perspective. Steven appreciated her process and acknowledged her comfort level with it. They also discussed their plans to attend the NCTE conference later in the year.