Episode 1: Middle-Grade Fiction: Poop Jokes & Wisdom
In Conversation with Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel Makonnen
Black & Bookish founder Antoinette Scully interviews Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel Makonnen, co-authors of Last Gate of the Emperor. Kwame Mbalia is the author of the Tristan Strong Series and editor of Black Boy Joy. Prince Joel Makonnen is an attorney, filmmaker, and great-grandson of the last Emperor of Ethiopia.
In this episode, we cover several key topics including:
How the co-authors’ backgrounds play into the story they wrote together. [4:06]
The intersection between literature, history, and culture. [10:21]
The process and love of writing for a middle-grades audience. [29:22]
And lots more!
Click here for a full transcript of the episode.
Kwame Mbalia by Bryan Jones Photography
Prince Joel Makonnen by Talaya Waller
Connect with Prince Joel Makonnen
Resources Mentioned in this Episode
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