Nic Stone is currently one of THE QUEENS of YA fiction and she's just getting started!
A native metro ATLien, Norcross to be exact, Nic graduated from Norcross High School with an International Baccalaureate diploma before being accepted to the historically black women's Spelman College. This woman was on a mission to live life unapologetically.
Dear Martin is Nic's first published book in which the main character, Justyce, writes letters to the late Martin Luther King, Jr. in an attempt to understand the prejudice, discrimination, and violence happening in his community. Nic drew from a series of true events to tell the story of Justyce witnessing his friend, Manny, being shot for playing his music too loud.
Being the mother of two black boys, Nic felt compelled to use her writing talents as both a way to express her frustrations of having to have talks with her sons about the series of injustices and how they would be viewed differently because of the color of their skin. Nic also she saw the need to fill a tragic void in published book written by black authors and about black protaganists.
Since Dear Martin's incredible success, Nic has not only opened the door, but has shattered the wall for more minority authors and protaganists to be born. Now we have had the pleasure of meeting Shuri, Black Panther's little sister. Coop, Jupe, and Rae's unprecidented love triangle represents youth struggling to define their sexual orientation in Odd One Out. Scoob, and African American boy, and his G'Ma, a caucasian grandma, explore the south in a revealing road trip. We wouldn't have met Rico and Zan, who couldn't seem more different, but grow to realize they're more alike than they are different. These are just Nic's characters. There are countless characters that we get to meet because of her help blazing the way.
Tip: Nic is known for frequenting her local Target and signing all the copies of her books that are on the shelves! What a fun thing to look for.
Eeek! I've had the extreme pleasure of meeting Nic several times and she is absolutely one of my favorite people. You MUST follow her on social media (listed below)!!
Nic Stone
Atlanta, GA
IG : @NicStone
Twitter: @GetNicced