Author Elizabeth Acevedo On Writing A Coming-Of-Age Novel

The transcript features a discussion with Elizabeth Acevedo about her novel 'The Poet X', focusing on the story of Xiomara, a Dominican American teenager in New York. Acevedo shares her inspiration from teaching and her love for poetry, leading to the creation of a novel in verse. She discusses the challenges of this form and the importance of representation in literature. Acevedo highlights the evolving landscape of young adult literature and the need for diverse voices and sustained support for authors beyond their debut works.

What inspired the author to write a novel in verse?

• Her passion for cooking

• Her love for science fiction

• Her interest in historical novels

• Her experience as an English teacher

What is the main character Xiomara's secret passion?

• Painting

• Dancing

• Singing

• Poetry

Why did the author find writing a novel in verse challenging?

• It involved linking numerous poems

• It was difficult to find a publisher

• It needed a lot of illustrations

• It required extensive research

What change has the author observed in young adult literature?

• A decrease in fantasy novels

• More representation of diverse voices

• A focus on historical events

• An increase in mystery genres

What does the author hope publishers will focus on?

• Publishing more cookbooks

• Reducing the number of poetry books

• Only debut works

• The longevity of authors' careers