In this conversation, award-winning authors Aya de Leon and Torrey Maldonado will discuss the role of magic, fantasy, science fiction and comic book fandom in their young adult, middle grade and children’s chapter books. How do supernatural elements and storylines bring stories to life, whether it’s sci-fi or more realistic fiction? In particular, how do these elements help us explore issues of race, gender, and other political issues for young readers?

An award winning African-American children’s book author and an independent illustrator will discuss the benefits and challenges of sending your children’s picture book into the world. Discussions will include: Best practices for creating and completing a picture book (Writing, editing, & illustrating) as well as Social Media Marketing, and selling independently on Amazon.

At Wakanda Dream Lab, we believe that worldbuilders harvest the abundant, radical imaginations to manifest what once seemed impossible into an irresistible inevitability. These are the times for new dreams, dreamers and immersive dream experiences to emerge. Since 2018, we’ve produced those dreams of the future into immersive storytelling experiences through an augmented anthology series called “Black Freedom Beyond Borders.” In the spirit of these times, Wakanda Dream Lab partnered with PolicyLink to launch a speculative writer’s room project called “Worldbuilding for Abolitionist Futures.” From Juneteenth to July 4th – this cohort of future-facing, speculative creative writers gathered to dream of a world rooted in the values of abolition, liberation and justice. This roundtable features several of the contributing writers, and impact producer, Calvin Williams, to discuss the creative worldbuilding process. And most importantly, we will invite the audience to participate in the worldbuilding experience by sharing the immersive AR anthology stories that dream of safety and freedom beyond the borders of police, prisons and punitive systems. Dream With Us!