Ty's Blog
I write about writing, mostly.
Valkyrie Training
Have you ever read a fantasy book that inspired you to hit the gym? Last month, I reread A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas and fell in love with Nesta Archeron and her bookish Valkyrie tribe all over again. I just find this book oddly empowering. By overcoming...
Mythology in Songs of Aryam
Myths have always been more than just stories. They are what shape societies and help them understand the world and themselves. Lately, I've been obsessed with finding tales from the West African diaspora. Many of these stories have inspired some of the events and...
Amina Lovell’s Opal Island: A Review
A stunning, clever, and palpable coming-of-age story about family legacy, magic, and political turmoil. Conflict brews on both sides of a mystical barrier that divides Opal Island into two factions: Parish One and Parish Two. Fueled by ambition, greed, and prejudice,...
Why I Started My Own Independent Press
Each path to print comes with its own set of pros and cons. When I first decided I wanted to become an author, back when I was 19 and a sophomore at The University of Michigan, self-publishing felt like the most natural thing in the world to me. I'd grown up writing...
The Comic Book and Other Writing Updates
I've been quiet lately about what I've been up to, but that's because I've been more focused on the "doing" rather than the "saying." I promise, I've been busy. Firstly, The Moon's Maiden, a comic book prequel to my YA Fantasy series, Songs of Aryam, is scheduled for...
Andrea Rose Washington’s Elendil: A Review
A fast-paced, courageous tale of a teen's relentless journey toward self-discovery as she hurtles through space, uncovers family secrets, and faces alien threats. In the midst of an interplanetary war, Abriana and her father are stranded on an alien planet after being...
I’m Publishing a Comic Book
In anticipation of my debut YA fantasy novel, I'm publishing a comic book prequel. It is in the works! I will share more about the comic book soon, but let's dive into the reasons behind this project. I hope these reasons will resonate with comic book fans, supporters...
Transmedia Storytelling & The World of Wakanda
This weekend, I attended VirtuousCon and sat in on a panel entitled "Worldbuilding Wakanda: Beyond the Comics." The panel was hosted by Angélique Roché (a journalist, attorney, and writer) and explored how the esteemed creators Evan Narcisse, Sheree Renée Thomas, Fred...
Using Transmedia Storytelling to Connect with Audiences
It's no secret that black authors face unique challenges when it comes to making their work visible and connecting with audiences, but there are some agents and editors working to assist these authors by providing advice and support. Three key suggestions that...
Diversity Alone Won’t Solve Publishing’s Problems for Black Authors
The traditional publishing industry can be a challenging space for most black authors to navigate. As recently as 2019, a Lee and Low survey showed that the publishing industry was 76% white, with only 5% of the industry's staff being black. The lack of diversity in...