Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

Where we celebrate new books from Michigan's authors, illustrators and translators.

Congratulations to Kelly J. Baptist on the release of Eb & Flow

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

I love titles, and the title, Eb & Flow, came to me before the story did. I wanted to explore the notion of “boys can’t hit girls,” as well as what really happens during an out-of-school suspension. An even greater question is, how effective are they in addressing behavior? I wrote the first words “I don’t even hit girls” on a Saturday. On Monday morning, I went in to work at my middle school and there was a fight between a male and female student. As I walked the young man down the hall to the guidance office, he was pretty upset, and I will never forget what he said, “Man, I don’t even hit girls!” I was stunned because I had JUST written those words! In fact, I had my notebook with me and immediately showed our dean of students! That’s when I knew the story HAD to be written.

What is something you hope your readers will take away from your book?

I think a common theme in all my books is the importance of family and community and the fact that we all have more in common with one another than we think. I want my readers to consider that fact before they get upset with or judge someone else. There is always a story behind the story!

What inspires you to write?

I’m fueled by just the idea of my work inspiring young people to write or pursue whatever passion they have. I write because kids who look like me need to feel seen and heard. I think about my ancestors when I write and I am eternally grateful for the sacrifices they made for me to be able to do this. I think they’d be proud of me and that inspires me.

What are your marketing plans for the book?

I’m really excited about a new marketing angle I came up with for this book! My youngest daughter, Natalia, is really into music so I’ve commissioned her to create a booktrack for Eb & Flow. The music captures the feel of the book and will hopefully provide another way for people to connect!

What's next for you?

So far, I have a middle grade novel that releases in October, and a second picture book coming next year. I’m also beginning to dabble in screenplays. Some of my early writings were plays, so it feels like I’m returning to my roots!

A little bit about the book . . .

Two kids. One fight. No one thinks they’re wrong. Eb & Flow are two seventh graders who have an altercation in the lunchroom that leads to a 10-day suspension. While at home, they grapple with what really happened, their family situations, and what they’ll do next.

A little bit about the author . . .

Kelly J. Baptist was born and raised in the great state of Michigan. She won the 2015 We Need Diverse Books short story contest, and her winning entry is included in the middle grade anthology, Flying Lessons and Other Stories. Since the win, she has written four more middle grade novels and one picture book. Kelly is a huge Kobe Bryant fan and incorporates Mamba Mentality in all aspects of her life, especially writing! She lives in Southwest Michigan with her five talented children.

Twitter: @kellyiswrite

Instagram: @kellyiswrite