Dolores Andral
 | Kidlit Member |
Howdy, Dolores! Thanks for coming by on Day Four of my Raven Quill Blog Party!
Thanks for inviting me, Dionna!
Do tell. How did you find your way into becoming a kidlit author and why do you love it?
I started off writing adult books, and never thought I would be a kidlit author. It was such a foreign concept to me. But then I had my own children and became immersed in children's picture books and literature and my love for it grew exponentially. I was also a preschool teacher and got to see the joy on the students' faces when I read books that they identified with.
When I first started writing, I had my own kids in mind, and knew they needed to see positive images of characters that looked like them represented in books.
What project of the heart are you working on?
My middle grade story centers a contemporary, Black female warrior, and is my absolute heart. The protagonist a pretty good cyclist, and whenever I ride my bike, I'm always thinking about scenes with her. I've also been teaching myself animation and had a blast animating a picture book that I self-published a few years ago with my husband who illustrated it. You can check that out HERE.
What do you love about working with Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary?
When I first received an offer from Kelly, I had another offer on the table as well. But I remember thinking that even if I didn't sign with Kelly, I planned on using the critique she gave on my work, and that sealed it for me and let me know she was the one. She's very honest and upfront. One of my questions was: "When do you plan on sending out my work?" And her reply was "When it's ready." It's wonderful when an agent wants to make sure your work is in the best light.
Thanks for inviting me, Dionna!
Do tell. How did you find your way into becoming a kidlit author and why do you love it?
I started off writing adult books, and never thought I would be a kidlit author. It was such a foreign concept to me. But then I had my own children and became immersed in children's picture books and literature and my love for it grew exponentially. I was also a preschool teacher and got to see the joy on the students' faces when I read books that they identified with.
When I first started writing, I had my own kids in mind, and knew they needed to see positive images of characters that looked like them represented in books.
What project of the heart are you working on?
My middle grade story centers a contemporary, Black female warrior, and is my absolute heart. The protagonist a pretty good cyclist, and whenever I ride my bike, I'm always thinking about scenes with her. I've also been teaching myself animation and had a blast animating a picture book that I self-published a few years ago with my husband who illustrated it. You can check that out HERE.
What do you love about working with Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary?
When I first received an offer from Kelly, I had another offer on the table as well. But I remember thinking that even if I didn't sign with Kelly, I planned on using the critique she gave on my work, and that sealed it for me and let me know she was the one. She's very honest and upfront. One of my questions was: "When do you plan on sending out my work?" And her reply was "When it's ready." It's wonderful when an agent wants to make sure your work is in the best light.
Dolores Andral was born in Brooklyn, New York to Haitian parents. She loves reading, writing and creating. She has a book in every room, so she’s never without a story on hand. Her hobbies include making clay dolls, teaching herself animation, and writing screenplays (for her clay dolls and cartoon characters, of course!). She earned an MFA from Queens University in Charlotte, NC. After working on three adult novels, she never thought she’d write for children until she realized the need for her children to see themselves represented in books. The countless books she read during her 10 years as a preschool teacher contributed as well. Dolores is online at doloresandral.com and on Instagram @andral_dolores. She is rep'd by Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary.
