Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Into White
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.randipink.com/
CITY: Birmingham
STATE: AL
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
https://thesweetsixteens.wordpress.com/2014/12/08/meet-the-author-randi-pink/ * http://www.diversifya.com/diversifya/diversifya-randi-pink/
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Married.
EDUCATION:Attended University of Alabama at Birmingham.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Randi Pink’s debut YA novel Into White introduces LaToya Williams, a teenaged African American girl who rejects her racial identity. “Toya Williams doesn’t want to be Black,” wrote a Crazy QuiltEdi reviewer. “She attends a predominantly white high school in an affluent suburb of Montgomery, Alabama and has accepted every negative stereotype about being Black. She never speaks up for herself and is an object of ridicule. She’s convinced that life is better for white girls.” “As a devoted Christian in Montgomery, AL,” explained Brianna Moore in School Library Journal, “she calls upon Jesus to make her ‘anything but black.’” Jesus—who appears as a character in the novel—makes her prayer come true. She becomes a blonde white girl. Toya’s new appearance, however, comes at a cost. “Pink pulls readers in with Toya’s charming naivete,” declared Booklist reviewer Reinhardt Suarez. “Underneath, though, hides a grittier tale of race and gender dynamics.”
Pink has stated that she based LaToya’s story partly on her own life. “I am a proud black woman,” Pink said in her DiversifYA interview, “but I haven’t always been able to say that. In my youth, I checked the race-box marked other on job applications, claiming bits and pieces of unconfirmed Native-American heritage. When challenged, I’d pull out a wallet-sized photograph of my mulatto-skinned mother and yell, ‘See, I’m not black!’ I wasn’t fooling anyone, not even me. It took years to accept myself.” “In my early teens, I prayed for the power to change,” Pink explained in Teen Lit Rocks. “I awakened ashamed. Even as a thirteen-year-old kid, I recognized the magnitude of what I’d asked. Shallowness, selfishness, and disregard was hidden beneath the surface of that prayer, so I buried it deep down. Then decades later, I decided to dig the memory back up and Toya was born from it. While Toya is absolutely not me, that personal memory represents [Into White’s] foundation and inspiration.” “I began writing Into White for a graduate level children’s literature course at UAB,” Pink told Javacia Harris Bowser on the See Jane Write Web site. “The assignment was to write the first chapter of a young adult novel, and Toya’s story developed from there.” The experience “helped me to recognize just what I was willing to sacrifice for the sake of belonging,” Pink said in See Jane Write. “I sifted through my past and built Toya’s story from the ashes. In retrospect, Into White has been inside of me for over a decade, but that wonderful literature course gave me the courage to write it.”
In general, reviewers were enthusiastic about Pink’s first YA novel, applauding its innovative approach to racism in twenty-first century America. “Randi Pink’s debut is heartfelt, honest, and sure to be controversial,” asserted Kathy MacMillan in her review appearing on her eponymous Web site Kathy MacMillan. “The characters ring painfully true.” Into White, opined a Publishers Weekly reviewer, “dives into thorny issues of identity, selfimage, and the internal effects of racism in a strikingly frank way.” “I’ll be honest: I wasn’t sure what to make of this book when I finished it, but it’s certainly given me plenty to ruminate on,” mused Mandy Wan in Kirkus Reviews. “Bold and outspoken, Into White is fiercely unique and immensely thought-provoking. Its fascinating premise and wise words guarantee that I won’t be forgetting about it anytime soon.” “Into White’s examination of the still-boiling racism and misogyny in America is timely, but Toya’s painful struggle toward self-acceptance is tempered by Pink’s light style,” declared Lyda Phillips in Nashville Scene. “Toya’s budding awareness of a wider world beyond the confines of high school rings with the authenticity of the author’s own transitions.” “I loved this book. It is perfect for any girls who are coming of age and feel out of place and wish for a better place, family or treatment whether you live in the South or not,” enthused a Teen Reads contributor. “it would be a good read for anyone who does live in the South because it does describe the racism down here perfectly.” “I wish this book was around when I was a little odd black girl in school who wanted to be anyone but myself,” said a Lunch-Time Librarian reviewer. “I wish I had been able to read this when I felt personally victimized for being black. I think I would have learned to love myself sooner…. And I will promote this book like crazy if it means one black girl can read it and know that she’s worthy in her own skin.”
Critics also believed that readers would identify with Toya’s struggle. Jennifer Bardsley, writing on her Jennifer Bardsley Web site, called the novel “not only entertaining, but it really makes you think. I can’t wait to read more.” “Teens will understand,” stated Jane Murphy in Voice of Youth Advocates, “[LaToya’s] wish to be someone else, when perhaps that someone is the person they will grow into with maturity.” “This book made me do quite a bit of thinking,” the One More Stamp contributor concluded, “and I did have an emotional reaction to the story.” “I was SUPER excited for this book,” enthused the One More Stamp contributor. “I think that the concept for this novel, black girl prays to be white and then is, is genius. I feel like that is a story that needs to be told.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, September 1, 2016, Reinhardt Suarez, review of Into White, p. 109.
Kirkus Reviews, September 27, 2016, Mandy Wan, “The Skin She’s In.”
Nashville Scene, October 6, 2016, Lyda Phillips, “Randi Pink’s Debut Into White Digs into Why Being White Isn’t That Hot.”
Publishers Weekly, July 4, 2016, review of Into White, p. 69.
School Library Journal, September, 2016, Brianna Moore, review of Into White, p. 162.
Voice of Youth Advocates, October, 2016, Jane Murphy, review of Into White, p. 78.
ONLINE
Crazy QuiltEdi, https://campbele.wordpress.com/ (October 19, 2016), review of Into White.
DiversifYA, http://www.diversifya.com/ (April 20, 2015), “DiversifYA: Randi Pink.”
Jennifer Bardsley, https://jenniferbardsley.net/ (October 17, 2016), Jennifer Bardsley, review of Into White.
Kathy MacMillan, https://kathymacmillan.wordpress.com/ (September 13, 2016), Kathy MacMillan, review of Into White.
Lunch-Time Librarian, http://ltlibrarian.com/ (April 5, 2017), “Into White Book Review–Black Eyed Peas with a Girl Tired of Being Black.”
One More Stamp, https://www.onemorestamp.com/ (September 15, 2016), review of Into White.
Randi Pink Home Page, http://www.randipink.com (April 5, 2017), author profile.
See Jane Write, http://seejanewritebham.com/ (March 3, 2016), Javacia Harris Bowser, “Member of the Month: Randi Pink.”
Sweet Sixteens, https://thesweetsixteens.wordpress.com/ (December 8, 2014), “Meet the Author: Randi Pink.”
Teen Lit Rocks, http://teenlitrocks.com/ (November 7, 2016), Sandie Chen, review of Into White.
Teen Reads, http://www.teenreads.com/ (September 19, 2016), review of Into White.*
DiversifYA: Randi Pink
April 20, 2015 Posted by Marieke under Cultural and Ethnic, DiversifYA
2 Comments
RandiToday, we have the most wonderful Randi Pink here at DiversifYA! Randi is the author of one of the 2016 debuts I’m most excited about, a YA about “sixteen-year-old Latoya Williams, who is black and attends a mostly white high school in the Bible Belt. In a moment of desperation, she prays for the power to change her race and wakes up white.” Add it on Goodreads. Randi also has a really cool pre-publication vlog series, which you can follow here. Find Randi on Twitter here.
1. How do you identify yourself?
I am a proud black woman, but I haven’t always been able to say that. In my youth, I checked the race-box marked other on job applications, claiming bits and pieces of unconfirmed Native-American heritage. When challenged, I’d pull out a wallet-sized photograph of my mulatto-skinned mother and yell, “See, I’m not black!” I wasn’t fooling anyone, not even me. It took years to accept myself for the black woman that I am, and it took even more years to fully realize the beauty in it. But today, I can say that I am a proud black woman.
2. What did it feel like growing up black?
Most of the schools I attended were predominantly white, so I felt like a black culture consultant. For instance, when O.J. Simpson’s not guilty verdict shocked the world, I was asked why black people cheered, though I did not. When Sir-Mix-A-Lot’s 90’s anthem came on the radio, I was asked to get up and dance, though I couldn’t dance worth a damn (still can’t). And when Biggie and 2-PAC got shot, I was asked to explain the prevalence of black on black crime, a phenomenon the most accomplished Sociologist can’t comprehend, let alone a prepubescent girl.
All I cared about was Ross and Rachel’s tumultuous relationship on Friends, incidentally, the same thing they cared about. But I had to make a choice. Either answer the black culture questions to the best of my ability, or withdraw completely. I chose the latter. In 9th grade, I withdrew into myself, effectively eliminating those awkward social interactions. Eventually, I flunked out and rarely left the house. In retrospect, I was severely depressed.
I seriously doubt I would have made it without the support of my family. They encouraged me to study for the Graduation Equivalency Exam, and they never judged, not once.
3. What are the biggest challenges? Conversely, what are the quirks/perks?
The biggest challenge is societal fatigue with racial dialogue. When I bring up race and/or racial issues in certain circles, I sense internal eye-rolling. In contrast, the biggest perk is people want to read about it! I believe people long for understanding, and many find that understanding in fiction. Reading literary fiction is proven to improve empathy, and I’m thrilled to contribute my own diverse characters.
4. What do you wish people knew about being black?
I wish people understood how beautiful I feel as a black woman. That beauty is in no way superficial. It’s a beauty forged by the pain my ancestors experienced so that I may call myself free. A beauty I see when I look into the eyes of my mother who was forced to sit in the back of the bus, and my father who drank from colored water fountains. An earned beauty. One that I refuse to deny.
5. What are the biggest clichés/stereotypes you’ve seen?
The biggest, and most frustrating, stereotype about black women is that we all have bad attitudes. Reality shows perpetuate this stereotype, but please allow me to squash it! We are kind, loving, and sweet. And yes, sometimes we are angry, hard-hearted, and standoffish. We are multi-dimensional. We are human, just like everyone else.
BONUS: What is your advice for writers writing diverse characters?
There is no place for fear in writing. If you’re passionate about writing diverse characters, sit your butt in the chair and write forward! When you’re done, pour yourself a glass of wine, and read what you’ve written. After you’ve read it, ask yourself this question: Will this character perpetuate stereotypes? If the answer is yes, you’ve identified a weakness within yourself. If the answer is no, share it with your spouse, or closest friend, or critique group.
8 DEC 2014
Meet the Author: Randi Pink
posted in Meet the Admins, Meet the Author, Young Adult Authors by victoriajcoe
Randi PinkRandi Pink is a writer and graduate student of creative writing at University of Alabama at Birmingham. In March of 2013, Randi was working on an assignment for a Children’s Literature course when she conceived the idea for her debut novel. After reading the first fifteen hundred words aloud in class, she realized that the world was ready for TOYA and she got to work.
Her debut novel, TOYA (FSG/Feiwel and Friends, Fall 2016) is the story of sixteen-year-old Latoya Williams, a black girl who attends a mostly white high school in the Bible Belt. In a moment of desperation, she prays for the power to change her race and wakes up white.
Randi is the Sweet Sixteens Calendar Coordinator. She is responsible for coordinating and maintaining the group calendars and keeping members well-informed about book launches, deadlines, and miscellaneous events.
Fun facts:
Favorite book growing up: THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR by Eric Carle
Childhood aspiration: The first female President of the United States
Book currently reading/most recently read: SCARLET by Marissa Meyer
Favorite things to do (other than reading): Binge watch Netflix with her husband and two dogs
Surprising personal fact: She read her first novel at seventeen years old
Greatest thing about being a 2016 debut author: Being surrounded by exceptionally creative people who understand, inspire, and support her journey to publication
I'm Randi and I'm...
IMG_1081.JPGPANDP6.jpgPANDP.jpgPANDP2.jpgPANDP4.jpgala1.jpgIMG_1495.jpgPANDP3.jpgPANDP7.jpg
creative...
"I began writing this book because it needed to be written. I finished writing this book because I knew no one else would."
2016
Tuesday, September 13th
Available at:
BARNES & NOBLE,BOOKS-A-MILLION, INDIEBOUND, OVERSTOCK, WALMART, POWELLS, AMAZON, B&N NOOK, IBOOKS, EBOOKS.COM, GOOGLEPLAY, KOBO, AND OF COURSE, YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE
open...
"Together, my brain and two hands can create anything."
vocal...
"Stand up and tell the unpopular truth, Randi."
and chill when I want to be.
Pink, Randi. Into White
Jane Murphy
Voice of Youth Advocates.
39.4 (Oct. 2016): p78.
COPYRIGHT 2016 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
Full Text:
4Q * 4P * M * J * S
Pink, Randi. Into White. Feiwel & Friends/ Macmillan, 2016. 288p. $17.99. 9781250070210.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Teens will identify with the wishful thinking and longing of the protagonist feels, but this tale has a twist. Toya yearns
to be "anything but black," having been bullied by her own kind, so she summons Jesus through prayer to reach her
goal. He arrives to grant her wish and returns to check on her from time to time. Maturity will bring more answers in
Toyas journey, but she sees an escape from her own racial profile as the only answer to her dilemmas. The trouble is,
her family members still perceive her as black, while her classmates and teachers see her as a blueeyed blonde. Older
brother Alex, who has always served as Toyas best friend and ally, is suddenly left out in the cold, and their parents
wonder just what has gone wrong with their daughter. Meanwhile, Toya becomes popular with the vacuous
cheerleaders and jocks, and gradually realizes that her identity is built upon her own race and her family's values. She
does not like the image and expectations for her as a white girl, after all. What she rebelled against suddenly begins to
make sense to her.
The story is bound to bring up many ethical discussions, especially in light of the Black Lives Matter movement. Toya
learns by hurting others that she cannot deny who she really is. Teens will understand her wish to be someone else,
when perhaps that someone is the person they will grow into with maturity. The effects of class, race, and gender are
fruitful for discussion in the classroom. Family values, community standards, today's education system, and the
importance of compassion for others are all addressed here. This book will be useful in middleschool libraries as well
as public library collections.Jane Murphy.
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
Murphy, Jane. "Pink, Randi. Into White." Voice of Youth Advocates, Oct. 2016, p. 78. General OneFile,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA467831170&it=r&asid=b197c5248df35ec8349671780b83a2ee.
Accessed 11 Mar. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A467831170
3/11/2017 General OneFile Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1489278272478 2/4
Into White
Reinhardt Suarez
Booklist.
113.1 (Sept. 1, 2016): p109.
COPYRIGHT 2016 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist_publications/booklist/booklist.cfm
Full Text:
* Into White. By Randi Pink. Sept. 2016.288p. Feiwel and Friends, $17.99 (9781250070210). Gr. 811.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
"Please Lord, anything but black." With that, Jesus Christ Himself grants Toya her fondest wish, to be a white girl free
of the expectations of being black in the South. There are, however, a few catches. Toya's family continues to see her as
her old self, while at school she must adopt the new identity of Katarina, exchange student from exotic Kansas City,
Kansas (or is it Missouri?). Katarina, with her glamourgirl looks, is quickly accepted by the popular kids but learns
that being white comes with its own set of expectations. More important, Toya/ Katarina is able to more fully observe
the culture she gave up, allowing her to appreciate its warmth, comfort, and beauty. Using the trappings of a fairy tale,
Pink pulls readers in with Toya's charming naivete and a highly eccentric version of Montgomery, Alabama (Jesus is a
character, and he drives a stolen 1990 Saab and listens to Mariah Carey). Underneath, though, hides a grittier tale of
race and gender dynamics in the contemporary South. Pink is careful to never allow the story itself to fall into agendapushing.
Instead, she lets Toya explore the gray areas teens negotiate as their identities shift and as their belief systems
are challenged. This debut ought to inspire readers to have conversations among themselves about family, empathy,
community, and respect for others.Reinhardt Suarez
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
Suarez, Reinhardt. "Into White." Booklist, 1 Sept. 2016, p. 109. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA463755256&it=r&asid=ac2f1e2db8afeab54ffa222243d3df63.
Accessed 11 Mar. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A463755256
3/11/2017 General OneFile Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1489278272478 3/4
Into White
Publishers Weekly.
263.27 (July 4, 2016): p69.
COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Into White
Randi Pink. Feiwel and Friends, $17.99 (288p) ISBN 9781250070210
Stuck in a mostly white high school in Montgomery, Ala., bullied by black students who should be her allies, Toya
Williams prays to Jesus one night to be white. Lo and behold, she wakes up "white as a Bing Crosby Christmas,"
though the change is invisible to her family. Blond, blueeyed Toya (posing as an exchange student) is befriended by
the white alpha girls and lusted after by the quarterback. It's great until she realizes that being white means starving
herself (size six is fat in her new world), hearing casual racial slurs, being expected to be available to popular guys, and
betraying her beloved older brother. Debut author Pink cuts some comers: the white alphas are caricatures, Toya's
squabbling parents are painted with a broad brush, and the hero who helps Toya see the value in herself and her
community seems too good to be true. But Pink isn't afraid of being provocative (Jesus makes regular appearances),
and the book dives into thorny issues of identity, selfimage, and the internal effects of racism in a strikingly frank way.
Ages 14up. Agent: Marietta Zacker, Gallt Zacker Literary. (Sept.)
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
"Into White." Publishers Weekly, 4 July 2016, p. 69+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA457302981&it=r&asid=3d9002c820f2b8f4d5028ee12e76147f.
Accessed 11 Mar. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A457302981
3/11/2017 General OneFile Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1489278272478 4/4
Pink, Randi. Into White
Brianna Moore
School Library Journal.
62.9 (Sept. 2016): p162.
COPYRIGHT 2016 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution
permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
* PINK, Randi. Into White. 288p. ebook available. Feiwel & Friends. Sept. 2016. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781250070210.
Gr 9 UpAfter a terrible day at school, and humiliated by a fellow African American student, LaToya Williams
decides she wants to be white. As a devoted Christian in Montgomery, AL, she calls upon Jesus to make her "anything
but black." Miraculously, she wakes up with the features of a white girl. Her recent change is apparent to outsiders but
not her family. For a brief moment, Toya lives life as a white teen and experiences different treatment from the kids at
school and people in town. This troubling novel grapples with several conflicts, such as racism, colorism, and
economic struggles within the black community. These sensitive topics, as well as rape, are ill portrayed and bleak.
Although the ending tries to tie up loose ends, such as the protagonist reclaiming her beauty and speaking out against
prejudice and her offender, the conclusion is resolved too quickly. Reading this would be a disservice to the targeted
audience or those experiencing similar conditions as Toya. The underdeveloped characters and outlandish plot do an
injustice to the issues explored in this work. Language and tone are also not authentic considering the narrator's age.
VERDICT Not recommended for any collection.Briana Moore, Elmont Memorial Library, NY
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
Moore, Brianna. "Pink, Randi. Into White." School Library Journal, Sept. 2016, p. 162. General OneFile,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA462899809&it=r&asid=0769b4c0896833471f702f725e72d75a.
Accessed 11 Mar. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A462899809
Review
Into White
by Randi Pink
Buy this book at IndieBound
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Buy this book at Barnes and Noble
"I began writing this book because it needed to be written. I finished writing this book because I knew no one else would." This quote is from the author of the book INTO WHITE, Randi Pink. INTO WHITE is her first novel of hopefully many. She gave a Ted Talk in March of 2016 about her writing and experiences through life up until college. In it she states that she writes about things that her make angry, curious, happy, or some feeling that she does not even understand yet. She grew up in southern Alabama and is still a denizen of Alabama today. She lives with her husband and two rescue dogs (aaaawww)! She also works for the NPR branch in Birmingham.
"I read this book in fewer than 24 hours....There is a perfect balance between funny moments, serious moments, and sweet moments. It covers many problems while having the perfect use of metaphor."
In INTO WHITE we meet LaToya --- or Toya --- Williams, a black girl living in Edgewood, Alabama with a few problems. For starters, the white people in her town just cannot get themselves to get over the color of her skin and the black people at her school do not really like that much either with the exception of her older brother, Alex. Sweet Alex who wears weird T-shirts, collects quarters and is extremely smart. But that seems to be the only good relationship in their household as their parents always manage to argue over something whether it be coffee grounds to cars and the only thing they can agree about is the importance of “Unsolved Mysteries” and Jesus Christ.
Nothing is going well for Toya as black girl, so she prays to become “anything but black.” To her surprise, Jesus has heard her desperate prayers and when she looks into the mirror that morning, she sees a blue-eyed, blonde-haired white girl in place of her usual self. Even her ashy elbows are gone! However, Toya soon learns that sometimes things are not always as good as it looks on the surface.
I read this book in fewer than 24 hours and would have read INTO WHITE in one sitting if it were not for the fact that I had a test the following day. I was extremely curious about this book, as it was an intriguing topic. One of my favorite parts was in the beginning where she goes out to Gus Von March, a store that many white people shop at and does something that really only white people could do (unfortunately) to prove to her brother that people see her as white. It was wonderful. There is a perfect balance between funny moments, serious moments, and sweet moments. It covers the problems of being black, being a girl and, in particular, being a black girl. It’s pretty hard to find a book that can manage to cover those issues even in the world we live in today all the while having the perfect use of metaphor.
I loved this book. It is perfect for any girls who are coming of age and feel out of place and wish for a better place, family or treatment whether you live in the South or not. It is really easy to relate to Toya as she wishes for the same thing. I would also like to think it would be a good read for anyone who does live in the South because it does describe the racism down here perfectly. So, anyone who loves a good read and needs a girl to relate to, this book is for you!
Reviewed by Rebecca D., Teen Board Member on September 19, 2016
Read This!: INTO WHITE by Randi Pink
Posted on September 13, 2016 by kathymacmillan
Into White
Into White by Randi Pink
Summary: LaToya Williams lives in Montgomery, Alabama, and attends a mostly white high school. It seems as if her only friend is her older brother, Alex. Toya doesn’t know where she fits in, but after a run-in with another student, she wonders if life would be different if she were . . . different. And then a higher power answers her prayer: to be “anything but black.”
Toya is suddenly white, blond, and popular. Now what?
Randi Pink’s debut is heartfelt, honest, and sure to be controversial. The characters ring painfully true, from Toya, who must choose whose reality she will honor, to her sweet, smart brother Alex, who tries to dull his own genius to avoid standing out, to the clueless , racial-slur-spewing twins Amera and Amelia, who turn out to be powerless once called on their nonsense. Compelling and compulsively readable, this book is also a brutal, incisive commentary on the role of the media in denigrating black bodies and the mental and emotional damage that systemic racism does to the individual.
INTO WHITE is out now.
review: Into White
575634564_140title: Into White
author: Randi Pink
date: Feiwal and Friends; 2016
main character: Toya Williams
I could go with the premise here. I can believe that young people are often willing to exchange their racial identity for one that seems more appealing. Isn’t that what Rachel Dolezal tried as an adult? So often when teens are trying to figure themselves out, they think they don’t want to be who they are: that fat boy or that Black girl or that Native American braniac. Yet, they are who they are.
Toya Williams doesn’t want to be Black. She attends a predominantly white high school in an affluent suburb of Montgomery, Alabama and has accepted every negative stereotype about being Black. She never speaks up for herself and is an object of ridicule. She’s convinced that life is better for white girls, so she asks Jesus to make her White. And, he does. While the ending is predictable, not everything in the story is.
Pulling off the transformation from black Toya to the transformed white Katerina was as clunky. Toya’s not missing at home because her family sees her as they always have. But at school, Toya’s gone and there’s a new student. How would you explain that? Not easily. As Katerina, Toya experiences life as a stereotypical spoiled, rich white girl.
The stereotypes that fill Toya’s head are never repudiated and this is a weakness in the story. These stereotypes, unfortunately are written into the narrative, giving a poor representation of the African American experience, communicating that it’s woeful to be a black teen. Toya’s family is much less affluent than the families of her white peers. While her classmates can afford to give new cars as presents, Toya’s family cannot afford to furnish their home. Toya’s mother and aunt are vocal, “strong” black women. Toya’s father derails her mother’s dreams and embarrasses the family with his broke down cars. While his heart is in the right place, he does a poor job of providing for his family. White characters are seen as narrow-minded, privileged teens whose parents can buy them out of any situation. Without giving away too much, it’s the guys who save Toya, who get her to draw some conclusions. It’s too often the guys who save the girls!
I really wanted to like this book. I expected something that would truly explore racial identity as today’s teens experience it. This book unfortunately relied upon the same trite stereotypes that permeate our culture with regards to African Americans. The problem isn’t that the stereotypes are in the book, it’s that they’re never called to question. Casually relating that black girls are heavier that white girls would give readers reason to believe it must be so, when it truth young black girls are as aware of and likely to practice healthy lifestyles as are whites in the same income group. Relying upon such predictable characters doesn’t allow the story’s theme to shine through.
And Jesus. When you call on Jesus to be a significant part of the story, you really need to go a bit deeper into matters of faith, belief and justice and a few church scenes do not do that.
Into White is Randi Pink’s first young adult novel.
Randi Pink’s Debut Into White Digs Into Why Being White Isn’t That Hot
Randi pink will discuss Into White at the Southern Festival of Books
Chapter16.org
Lyda Phillips
Oct 6, 2016 5 AM
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Latoya, the heroine of Randi Pink’s debut YA novel, Into White, hates everything about herself.
She’s one of just a handful of black students in a big high school in the Montgomery, Ala., suburbs. She and her older brother, Alex, don’t fit in anywhere: Both the black clique and the white students bully them. Toya is embarrassed by her nerdy brother, her bickering parents and the “Empty Castle” where they live. (Her father spent the family’s every penny to move them into an upscale neighborhood, and there’s no money left for furniture, clothes or any of the other necessities that would help them fit in.) Most of all Toya hates herself.
With no fairy godmother in sight for this modern-day Cinderella, Toya turns to prayer:
“Hey Jesus?” I whispered, looking out of my bedroom window. “I can’t take this anymore. This filth. This curse. This … race. … You said that if I seek you first, the rest shall be added to me. Well, my rest is the power to wake up any race I want. Please, Lord, anything but black.”
The next morning Toya wakes up, looks in the mirror, and sees a drop-dead gorgeous girl “as white as a Bing Crosby Christmas.” She’s blond, bosomy and athletic, and she has ice-blue eyes like the sky. “Hallelujah,” she says to the mirror. Toya’s family still sees her real self, but everyone else sees Katarina, the new exchange student from Kansas City. Everyone except Jesus, of course, who drops in occasionally to see how things are going.
Naturally, things aren’t going that well. The cool kids immediately embrace Katarina, but their shallow, backstabbing world is definitely not as fabulous as Toya had expected. She gets exactly the notice she dreamed of from the to-die-for quarterback, but that too comes with a terrible price. To stay in with this in-crowd, Toya has to abandon her brilliant, loyal brother. And that nearly breaks both their hearts. Even Jesus can’t fix the problem. Toya has to work that one out for herself:
“He knuckled my tear away from my cheek before I realized it was there. ‘You begged me. You cried, screamed, yelled, and cursed for years, Latoya. I said no well over a thousand times, and then we gave you what you asked for. Exactly what you asked for. Unfortunately, sometimes what we want is not necessarily what we need.”
Into White’s examination of the still-boiling racism and misogyny in America is timely, but Toya’s painful struggle toward self-acceptance is tempered by Pink’s light style. Pink, who is black, says she did not read a novel until she was 17, and Toya’s budding awareness of a wider world beyond the confines of high school rings with the authenticity of the author’s own transitions.
Into White grew out of Pink’s participation in a 2013 graduate-level class in writing for children at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. “I began writing this book because it needed to be written,” Pink writes on her website. “I finished writing this book because I knew no one else would.”
For more local book coverage, please visit Chapter16.org, an online publication of Humanities Tennessee.
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Into White
By Randi Pink
Feiwel & Friends
288 pages, $17.99
The Skin She's In
By Mandy Wan on September 27, 2016
BOOK REPORT for Into White by Randi Pink
Cover Story: Mirror, Mirror
BFF Charm: Let Me Love You
Swoonworthy Scale: 4
Talky Talk: Real Talk
Bonus Factors: Dean Winchester Award for Cool Older Brotherhood, Keeping Up Appearances, Jesus Is Just Alright With Me
Relationship Status: An Affair to Remember
Cover Story: Mirror, Mirror
This is a cute illustration that probably sums up the plot in the best way possible—provided that you don't misconstrue the two versions of Toya as a human Catdog, anyway.
The Deal:
As one of the few non-white students at her Montgomery, AL high school, LaToya Williams has a tough time fitting in, and she desperately wishes to not be black anymore. But then it happens: Toya wakes up one morning as a white blonde, and her new persona Katarina skyrockets to the top of the social ladder. Which is everything that Toya has always wanted. Right?
BFF Charm: Let Me Love You
9.27BFF
Oh, man—Toya's insecurity and self-loathing feel so, so real. Sacrificing your identity to hang out with people who you kind of hate but whose validation you seek anyway? YUP, YUP, YUP. (If that has you thinking Mean Girls, the reference is definitely apt.) Toya, you are a wonderfully pensive and gentle young woman. You might be feeling a little lost and alone, but the problem isn't with you. At all.
Swoonworthy Scale: 4
Josh Anderson might be the hottest guy in school—and whom she's been crushing on from afar for years—but Toya quickly learns what a ginormo douche he really is. Besides, there's someone else far more deserving of her affections, even if he has to overcome dubious origins for the two of them to be quite a cute pairing.
Talky Talk: Real Talk
Randi Pink dives into the plot right away, and she also wastes no time digging into the complexities of race. In this day and age, it's absolutely believable and devastating that race is at the forefront in the minds of Toya and other African-American teenagers who don't have the luxury of ignorance. White-on-black racism (esp. shizz that gets spouted behind backs and closed doors), black-on-black tensions, misogynoir, and the general idea that the black experience is not a giant monolith (which: duh)—this book covers a lot of ground, y'all.
Bonus Factor: Dean Winchester Award for Cool Older Brotherhood
Brother
A protective and supportive big brother, Alex always has Toya's back, even after her major transformation. Theirs is such a sweet sibling relationship, and I could totally see them conquering the world together. (Or, at the very least, the giant hill Colossus that they regularly climb to the top of.)
Bonus Factor: Keeping Up Appearances
YA_Appearance
In his constant quest to be deemed worthy in a white community, Toya and Alex's dad is all about status, as evident by his taste for massive McMansions and vintage cars. Except the Williamses can't afford to furnish their "empty castle" nor repair their lemon of a convertible. Not only have these splurges placed huge financial and emotional strains on the family, but the ruse isn't fooling anybody, either.
Bonus Factor: Jesus Is Just Alright With Me
Jesus
So, regarding exactly how Toya becomes white... it's Jesus. Literal, actual Jesus. And he's a pretty rad character, too. This book has fun with faith, à la Saved and Dogma before it in irreverent religious humor.
Casting Call:
Shanice
Shanice Williams as Toya
Abigailbreslin
Abigail Breslin as Katarina
Justice Smith
Justice Smith as Alex
Relationship Status: An Affair to Remember
I'll be honest: I wasn't sure what to make of this book when I finished it, but it's certainly given me plenty to ruminate on. Bold and outspoken, Into White is fiercely unique and immensely thought-provoking. Its fascinating premise and wise words guarantee that I won't be forgetting about it anytime soon.
Into White is available now.
YA Diversity Book Club: Into White by Randi Pink
MORE ABOUT THE BOOK:
When a black teenager prays to be white and her wish comes true, her journey of self-discovery takes shocking–and often hilarious–twists and turns in this debut that people are sure to talk about.
LaToya Williams lives in Birmingham, Alabama, and attends a mostly white high school. She’s so low on the social ladder that even the other black kids disrespect her. Only her older brother, Alex, believes in her. At least, until a higher power answers her only prayer–to be “anything but black.” And voila! She wakes up with blond hair, blue eyes, and lily white skin. And then the real fun begins . . .
Randi Pink’s debut dares to explore provocative territory. One thing’s for sure–people will talk about this book
INTO WHITE by Randi Pink | Macmillan, Sept. 13, 2016
Buy it on Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound | Read an excerpt
INTERVIEW WITH RANDI PINK
Randi WhiteDescribe your book in a sentence or two.
Into White is the story of Latoya Williams, a sixteen-year-old black girl who attends a predominately white high school in the South. After an unbearable day at school, she asks God for the power to change her race, and the next morning, she wakes up white.
What was your inspiration for writing INTO WHITE?
In my early teens, I prayed for the power to change. I was done with my hair, my skin, even my quirky personality – I was done being me. I prayed that prayer with the utmost sincerity, and believed wholeheartedly that I would wake up different. On some level, I did.
I awakened ashamed. Even as a thirteen-year-old kid, I recognized the magnitude of what I’d asked. Shallowness, selfishness, and disregard was hidden beneath the surface of that prayer, so I buried it deep down. Then decades later, I decided to dig the memory back up and Toya was born from it. While Toya is absolutely not me, that personal memory represents the foundation and inspiration behind Into White.
What kind of research did you have to do to make sure your story and characters were authentic?
I toured my city, GPS free. The statistics are widely circulated online, but I needed to see and feel the lines of separation with my own eyes. I needed to know if our schools and neighborhoods were still set apart by racial lines, and no computer could articulate that fact like an old fashioned self-guided tour. So, I silenced Suri and snaked my inconspicuous Ford Taurus through all of the neighborhoods of Birmingham.
Before those GPS-free tours, I knew intellectually that we were divided. I’d never second guessed the maps, but experiencing it was enlightening in ways that I cannot adequately describe. For one thing, the aesthetics were strikingly different from neighborhood to neighborhood. Some slices of Birmingham looked so clean that I’d consider the five-second rule applicable on sidewalks. But right over the mountain, the level of poverty brought tears to my eyes – decaying homes, overgrown yards, and fear. I could feel the fear all around me. Each neighborhood had its own personality, from despair and gloom to joy and anticipation.
Witnessing our division in such an in-your-face way left no room for doubt that there are Toyas in 2016, not only in my city, but everywhere.
How does the diversity in your book relate to your life?
Like Toya, I went to a predominately white high school in the Bible belt so I can relate to her predicament. She’s a typical teenager – she wants to fit in with the people around her. But sometimes instead of feeling included, she feels like the black culture representative–expected to provide the black culture perspective in all conversations.
When I think back, I can absolutely relate.
What are some of your favorite YA books about diverse characters?
Shadowshaper by Daniel Jose Older
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
What do you want to say to readers wary of books about race?
It’s a natural, knee-jerk reaction to want to read about characters similar to yourself. I vividly remember searching libraries as a child for outward-facing books with little girls who looked like me on the cover. Now I realize, the world is bigger than me. And stepping outside of my literary comfort zone was the first step in realizing that on some level we are all the same. Bursting the bubble of our circumstances is a scary proposition for many of us, but I can’t think of a safer place to explore other races and cultures than within a book.
What areas of diversity do you want to draw attention to or do you feel are underrepresented in books?
It’s difficult to specify an area of diversity that deserves attention more than another, but one subject about diversity that needs to be addressed is our divided communities. From Alabama to NYC, our neighborhoods are still deeply segregated. Some schools in 2016 are 95% Caucasian while some others are 95% African American, but the division is generally ignored. A few decades ago, our nation actively attempted to rectify this detachment, but somewhere along the way, the battle was deemed too difficult or impossible to overcome.
I think literary fiction could do a service by drawing this subject back to the forefront.
Hello fellow book lovers! Teen Lit Rocks is run by Sandie Chen, a professional book reviewer and film critic. Our contributors are all adult women (librarians, educators, mothers) hailing from across the U.S. and Canada who love to read YA. We support diversity in teen literature and can't wait to discuss our recommendations with you.
Into White Book Review – Black Eyed Peas with a Girl Tired of Being Black
Into White Book Review | Lunch-Time Librarian
5-star
Synopsis.
Into White by Randi PinkWhen a black teenager prays to be white and her wish comes true, her journey of self-discovery takes shocking–and often hilarious–twists and turns in this debut that people are sure to talk about.
LaToya Williams lives in Birmingham, Alabama, and attends a mostly white high school. She’s so low on the social ladder that even the other black kids disrespect her. Only her older brother, Alex, believes in her. At least, until a higher power answers her only prayer–to be “anything but black.” And voila! She wakes up with blond hair, blue eyes, and lily white skin. And then the real fun begins . . .
Randi Pink’s debut dares to explore provocative territory. One thing’s for sure–people will talk about this book.
***Trigger warning: discussions of rape and attempted rape scene***
The Good Bits.
Latoya
I related a lot to Latoya, in thinking of how I felt growing up and also in her current life. She’s frustrated with the skin colour she was born into and sees the injustice that comes along with it. There’s clearly a lot of desperation for her to live in a world that caters to her vs. one that criminalizing her. Sometimes she frustrated me, but I understood her more deeply than I have any character I’ve ever read.
Supporting Characters
I loved Latoya’s brother because he was an example of a black male determined not to let discrimination hold him back from achieving his goals. And I loved how much he cared about Latoya even if she wasn’t always great at doing the same. Her parents, I initially found to be caricature-like, but as the book went on they revealed more layers of themselves and became more complex. And I think you can say that for the rest of the main characters in this book. People revealed more of themselves that what meets the eyes.
Black Culture
The benefit of reading an #ownvoices book by a black author is that she intimately understands many of the nuances of black culture. And I loved that she addressed the things that we, as a culture, do to bring one another down. There’s a focus on being light or dark skinned, having bad hair or good hair, or being ‘black enough’. Even I make self-deprecating jokes about being ‘really white.’ And she addresses how damaging that can be within the culture. Because on top of any discrimination from anyone else you’re also dealing with discrimination within your own race. And that’s SO important to talk about.
Social and Political Aspects
As per the trigger warning I included above, there is an attempted rape scene in the book. I’m not a fan of rape included that even whiffs of being a plot device, but the novel portrayed it well, I thought. It addressed not only the difficult emotional trauma that comes with it but also the injustices with reporting rape. And of course, issues of racism were included throughout the book. Including how certain opportunities are withheld and how people treat you.
Sour Grapes.
Depiction of Racism
For me, the depictions of racist remarks said by white characters to black characters often felt unreal. I couldn’t picture someone saying that to anyone’s face. BUT I grew up in Toronto, Canada where racism takes a much more subtle form. For example, someone might look extra long at an interracial couple but no one would ask why you were with that person. At least, not in my experience. But since the author is from the town she wrote about, I have to assume that it’s VERY different there. I think whether you relate to these overt racism scenes will depend on where you grew up/where you’ve been.
The Last Bite.
I wish this book was around when I was a little odd black girl in school who wanted to be anyone but myself. When I was teased and ignored and blamed my skin. I wish I had been able to read this when I felt personally victimized for being black. I think I would have learned to love myself sooner in my own skin than I did.
When POC talk about representation this is what they mean. This feeling of relating so deeply to a character’s experience because it is almost exactly your experience. To feel like a book is addressing you directly. THIS is why diversity in books matters. And this is why #ownvoices matters.
And I will promote this book like crazy if it means one black girl can read it and know that she’s worthy in her own skin.
“Into White” by Randi Pink
Jennifer BardsleyOctober 17, 2016Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy
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“Into White“ by Randi Pink is an #OwnVoices book you don’t want to miss. It tells the story of a teen girl named LaToya who goes to a lily-white public school in Birmingham, Alabama where she feels unloved by everyone but her older brother. In the first few pages of the book Toya prays to Jesus to change her into a white person. Poof! Toya’s prayers get answered…and that’s when her real troubles begin.
What I loved about “Into White” was how richly developed all the African American characters were, and how the white characters were portrayed as cheap stereotypes. This turns a hundred years of KidLit on its head. Brilliant! From the vapid mean girls dressed in Lilly Pulitzer, to the racist football hero, the white characters were like puppets. But Toya, her brother and her parents were some of those most memorable characters I’ve read about all year.
“Into White” is not only entertaining, but it really makes you think. I can’t wait to read more from Randi Pink.
Jennifer Bardsley is the author of GENESIS GIRL and DAMAGED GOODS, published by Month9Books. She lives in Edmonds, WA where she writes a newspaper column for The Everett Daily Herald. You can find Jennifer online at http://JenniferBardsley.net and http://TeachingMyBabytoRead.com. Follow Jennifer on Twitter @JennBardsley or on Facebook as TheYAGal. View all posts by Jennifer Bardsley
One More Stamp
https://www.onemorestamp.com/blog/book-review-into-white-by-randi-pink
One More Stamp
Book Review: Into White by Randi Pink
September 15, 2016
Into white cover
Into White
by Randi Pink
Goodreads | Amazon
Series: no
Release date: September 13th 2016
I was SUPER excited for this book. I preordered it six months ago and was refreshing my amazon account every few minutes on Tuesday until it was available. I think that the concept for this novel, black girl prays to be white and then is, is genius. I feel like that is a story that needs to be told.
My main problem with this book is that it lacked subtlety. I know that explicit racism is a problem in the US. But I don’t think that it is socially acceptable. Maybe it was because the setting was Montgomery, Alabama. I have never lived in the South and have done very little traveling there. But I feel as if that story has already been told. Many times and very well. I was expecting this book to be more about implicit racism such as, the damage that microaggressions can cause or the damaging way that the black community is portrayed by the media.
I didn’t get that. I got a MC who hates her own race, turns white and then starts hanging around the two vilest human beings on the planet. They are racist, have eating disorders, and also some very weird sexual manipulation issues. Is this something that is common in other places? I spent about 80 of my waking hours with teenagers and I didn’t recognize these two. Or any of their friends.
I am not sure how I feel about Latoya. First of all, she isn’t a reader. I am so cheap when it comes to characters. Make a literary reference and I am yours. There were times that I really liked her clear headed tone but that made it all the more frustrating when she made decisions that I didn’t agree with. She was also pretty casual about calling people some very mean names in her head. Is this again an issue of subtly? For the most part I agreed with her assessments just not the name calling. It took me until about 68% of the way into the book to start liking her. Which I think is significant because it is around that time that she starts liking herself.
I did love, Alex, her brother. He was sharp, sensitive, and kind. He stuck by Latoya even when she was pretty cruel to him. It hurt that he limited who he was to stay true to her. Side note on their parents. Are they supposed to be amusing and zany? Why was everything they said “screamed” or “yelled” or “shrieked”? I know that there was a little resolution on this point but it was kind of jarring.
I think that the writing was quite decent. I think that Randi Pink has a really interesting perspective and I liked how she presented it. There were parts in it that were meant to be funny that didn’t resonate with me. It was just a different sense of humor. The first person present narration also didn’t sit right with me. I think that first person past would have worked better. I wasn’t super impressed with how the premise was handled. Latoya and everyone that she tells or who finds out is unsurprised and unfreaked out by her transformation. A couple of times Latoya is sitting with and having a conversation with Jesus and she isn’t the least bit concerned. Maybe there is a religious aspect of this novel that is going over my head?
I felt battered. Instead of showing me new ideas and things to think about it felt as if this novel was holding me by the hair and screaming, “THINK ABOUT THIS ISSUE NOW.” There was no sly undermining sidelong look from a character that freyed Latoya’s confidence. It was all,” You are a slut.” To her face. The racism. Obvious. And to her face. “I think black people are awful, ect.” Same with the religion, sexual aggression, family, and lack of support that she feels from other black people.
I will give Randi Pink another chance if she decides to write another book. Obviously, this book made me do quite a bit of thinking and I did have an emotional reaction to the story. Is it a matter of being disappointed because the book I got was different from the book that was in my head? I am not sure. There was such potential in this story but the execution didn’t live up to the brilliant premise.
From Goodreads:
When a black teenager prays to be white and her wish comes true, her journey of self-discovery takes shocking--and often hilarious--twists and turns in this debut that people are sure to talk about.
LaToya Williams lives in Birmingham, Alabama, and attends a mostly white high school. She's so low on the social ladder that even the other black kids disrespect her. Only her older brother, Alex, believes in her. At least, until a higher power answers her only prayer--to be "anything but black." And voila! She wakes up with blond hair, blue eyes, and lily white skin. And then the real fun begins . . .
Randi Pink's debut dares to explore provocative territory. One thing's for sure--people will talk about this book.
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Hello, Everybody! My name is Tara. I am an American married to a German and currently living in Beijing, China. My favorite things in life are traveling and books! Feel free to contact me at onemorestamp@gmail.com.
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Member of the Month: Randi Pink
March 3, 2016
Javacia Harris Bowser
The See Jane Write Member of the Month for March is Randi Pink.Randi Pink2016 is sure to be a big year for Randi. On March 12 she will take the stage at this year’s TEDxBirmingham to give a talk on how collective misconceptions can transform the world into a place of fear and prejudice. Then, in September, Randi’s debut young adult novel Into White will hit bookshelves.
Into White tells the story of 16-year-old Latoya Williams. Toya lives in Montgomery, Alabama, attends a mostly white high school and has trouble fitting in. After a run-in with a bully, she wonders if her life would be different if she were different. She prays to a higher power to make her “anything but black” and the prayer is answered.
“Diving into the mind of a complicated sixteen-year-old girl was a challenge, but it was such a joy,” Randi says. “Toya is a multidimensional young lady – she’ll make you laugh and then you’ll turn the page and find yourself in tears. She’ll piss you off, and make you wonder why you cried for her in the first place. That’s my Toya, and I’ve selfishly held onto her for too long. I’m proud and excited to introduce her to the world.”
I had a chat with Randi recently about her upcoming book and TEDxBirmingham talk, about how to get a book deal, and about the writing life.
Randi 2Congrats again speaking at TEDxBirmingham. That is so exciting! How did this opportunity come about?
I’ve always enjoyed hearing people speak. Even as a small child, I would beg my parents to take me to lectures and speaking engagements instead of playgrounds and birthday parties. I’m in awe of the human experience, and fascinated by someone who’s strong enough to reveal a piece of him or herself to a group of strangers. Standing in the spotlight and articulating an idea, or a perspective, or a deeply personal experience to inspire thought in others is not for the faint-hearted, but I knew my perspective was one that needed to be shared. So when the nomination period opened in the summer of 2015, I nominated myself!
I went for it. I realized my own potential, and instead of waiting for someone else to throw my name into the hat, I did it myself. I’m proud to say that my submission was accepted, but even if it hadn’t been, that nomination represents a moment of independent affirmation. Typing my own name into the blank designated for Birmingham’s brightest was quite liberating. I highly recommend it!
Into White
What was the inspiration for your soon-to-be-released novel?
I began writing Into White for a graduate level children’s literature course at UAB. The assignment was to write the first chapter of a young adult novel, and Toya’s story developed from there.
I pulled the initial idea of Into White from my past. I attended a predominantly white high school where I didn’t quite fit. So one night, I prayed for the power to change my race. I’m not proud of it, but it happened. And it absolutely changed me. Not physically, of course, but much more than that. It helped me to recognize just what I was willing to sacrifice for the sake of belonging. I sifted through my past and built Toya’s story from the ashes. In retrospect, Into White has been inside of me for over a decade, but that wonderful literature course gave me the courage to write it.
What advice and encouragement would you give to other writers hoping to secure a book deal?
Two things:
Most importantly, WRITE FORWARD! My Creative Writing professor, Kerry Madden, who is an incredible author in her own right, spoke those two words early in my career and they stuck. Even when your writing feels ridiculous or downright unreadable, still WRITE FORWARD. Paste this phrase on your computer as a reminder if you have to. When you’re drafting a novel, just sit your butt in the chair and write the thing. You’ll have years to edit, trust me! Years! Get the story on the page.
Secondly, don’t hide your work. I belong to many writing communities, and one common personality trait among authors is a shocking lack of confidence. Many creative minds have sensitive hearts. It makes sense because in order to translate emotion effectively, we must first allow ourselves to feel. That can hurt.
Rejection hurts. Critique hurts. Negative reviews hurt. Still, don’t hide your work. I’ve seen incredible writers hide their work from the world fearing the possibility of pain. For all you know, you’ve written the next great book of the century! Bait the line and cast your lovely words out into the world. For goodness’ sake, don’t bury your brilliant manuscript in the basement for your great-grandchildren to publish after you’re long dead.
Why are you a member of See Jane Write? What do you find valuable about the group and its programs and events?
See Jane Write is one of Birmingham’s best. I learn something new every time I attend a workshop, conference, or an event. The intellect, kindness, and generosity in this group is so refreshing! Not to mention our fearless leader inspires me to explore new platforms and innovations. I feel blessed to be a member of See Jane Write. Besides, it’s just plain fun!
You can pre-order Randi Pink’s book Into White here.