I didn’t understand scene structure, developing plots, character arcs, or any of that. I quickly (literally the same day) found other writers doing writing sprints (30–45-minute segments where writers write nonstop and check back in on Twitter for a 5-10 break before diving back in for another one). I joined that same day and searched hashtags for writers. At the time, I had been watching iWriterly, an author YouTube streamer, who recommended Twitter as a place to find writing community. And I started that journey by joining Twitter. But, I’d never considered pursuing writing as a profession until 2018. I know how that sounds and yes I do have a Bachelor’s of Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin.

Tell us more about your unconventional path to publishing success as a debut author turned instant bestseller-and if/how you're coaching other authors toward their own success. Ultimately, I hope my story’s success opens opportunities for more stories like it to find their way to shelves. One story couldn’t possibly capture the full breadth of our gifts. But even these delights in Wings of Ebony are a mere waft of the aroma to all the “magic” that undergirds inner-city communities like mine, the Third Ward of Houston, which I used as inspiration to create East Row. Wings of Ebony also reflects the strong sense of community, found family, and commitment to communal good found in communities like East Row, the fictional neighborhood where Rue is from. Rue’s story of magic is one of grit, tenacity and love.

Fear for her, worry for her, be scared for her, but root for her to win and believe she truly can. She’s up against a lot of odds and yet I want the reader to never once doubt her.

Narratively, in Wings of Ebony, I specifically aimed to capture the capacity for the seemingly impossible through Rue. Those who come to my stories for a mirror, I hope find the nostalgic richness of existence that we’re intimately familiar with. So the work I’m doing is really to help readers–who come to my story as a window–see what’s already there. Inner-city communities are places full of “magic” and power. Why and how do you approach portraying inner-city communities as places full of magic and power? Elle successfully coordinated a donation of over 500 copies of the first book in the duology, WINGS OF EBONY, so that every student at Jack Yates High School in her hometown neighborhood of Houston's Third Ward could receive a copy. The forthcoming finale to her New York Times-bestselling YA 'Wings of Ebony' duology, Ashes of Gold was released on January 11, 2022.ĪSHES OF GOLD received a starred Kirkus review calling it 'a masterful adventure,' and it's been named one of Apple Books' Most Anticipated Winter Reads.

Wings of ebony by j elle