DuEwa Frazier Interview & Alice's Musical Debut Book Giveaway
Updated: Apr 14, 2021
Greetings All,
Welcome DuEwa Frazier, our first author to be interviewed on From Our Bookshelf blog.
Here is a little bit about DuEwa:
DuEwa Frazier is an award winning poet, writer, speaker, author, educator, and performer. Born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in New York and St. Louis. DuEwa has been honored with a Mayor's Proclamation in St. Louis, a Black Caucus of ALA Conference Literacy Presenter Award, Writers Digest Publishing Awards honorable mention, and NAACP Image Award nomination. She was a featured TEDx speaker in 2019 for her talk "Word is Bond." DuEwa is the author of a children's book, Alice's Musical Debut (2019), two teen novels, Quincy Rules (2016) and Deanne in the Middle (2014). DuEwa is also the author of several books of poetry, including Goddess Under the Bridge: Poems (2013). She is the editor of the NAACP Image Award nominated, Check the Rhyme: An Anthology of Female Poets & Emcees (2006). Her writing has been featured in Crossing the Divide Anthology, Eleven Eleven Literary Journal (CCA), Poetry in Performance (CUNY), Book Riot, MyBrownBaby.com, Black Renaissance Noire (NYU), Split This Rock, Essence Magazine and others. DuEwa has featured at colleges, arts venues, schools, libraries, conferences, and festivals. She earned degrees in English (BA), Curriculum & Teaching with NY State English Certification (MS), Creative Writing (MFA), and Educational Leadership (EdM).
Let's begin with our first question:
What was your favorite book when you were 8 years old?
I had many books that I loved. Kimako’s Blues, Why Mosquitoes Buzz in Peoples’ Ears, and The Snowy Day.
What is your favorite genre to read (Fiction/ Realistic Fiction/ Nonfiction)?
Poetry, essays, biography, children’s/YA teen, and inspirational.
Who are your favorite Children’s Authors?
Walter Dean Myers, Ezra Jack Keats, and Virginia Hamilton.
What age did you write your first creative writing piece? What was it?
I wrote an essay that won a Martin Luther King, Jr. essay award in elementary school. I was 9.
What is your favorite genre to write (Poetry/Short Stories/Plays, etc)?
Wow that’s a tough one. I enjoy poetry, essay writing, and writing for children and teens.
Do you keep a writing journal?
I keep notebooks for lists and ideas. I mainly write on my computer.
What is one thing you learned on your reading and writing journey that you use in your daily life?
To keep going. Inspiration can be found everywhere, in everyday life.
Now, a few questions about her new children's book and our special giveaway, Alice's Musical Debut:
Alice’s Musical Debut is a historical fiction about jazz musician Alice Coltrane. This beautiful picture book will inspire any young lady to explore their musical talents.
What inspired you to write about Alice Coltrane?
I wanted to introduce young readers to a subject who I really admired. I
thought about how to create a work based on an idea of someone who lived,
but to fictionalize the story of course because it is not an autobiography. I
think young readers love poetic language and rich illustrations and that is what
Alice’s Musical Debut offers. Also, I really enjoy jazz music. Alice Coltrane is
one of my favorite jazz artists. Her work as a composer, pianist, harpist, and
organist is inspiring. When you listen to her music it just puts you in a different
place and time. Very magical!
What are the Themes in Alice’s Musical Debut?
Young readers will encounter the themes of music and imagination. Pick up
the book to find out more!
What age range is Alice’s Musical Debut intended for?
Grades 2 and up.
Thank you, DuEwa
You have chance to win a signed copy of this beautiful book.
This giveaway is running from February 3, 2020 through February 13, 2020.
*One Winner will be announced on February 14, 2020.
To Enter Giveaway:
Leave a comment on this blog post**
(Your name will be entered into giveaway)
*Winner will be randomly selected
**You must leave a comment to be eligible for giveaway. Any comment deemed to be inappropriate will be deleted and poster will not be eligible for giveaway
Giveaway Winners:
* We decided to share more love and award two winners:
Congratulations
Thanh O and Ulla K!
(Signed Copy)
Visit DuEwa Frazier's website at http://www.duewaworld.com. Follow her on Twitter @duewafrazier1.
