Author, Illustrator and Editor
Uplifting Diverse Voices
Storytelling 鈥� as seen through the lens of the works from author and illustrator Elizabeth Agyemang (CFA 2017) 鈥� is a colorful, magical tapestry woven by a legendary trickster spider.
The spider comes from Ghanaian folklore, and it drives the plot of her first book for middle schoolers, 鈥淔ibbed,鈥� a graphic novel released in 2022.
鈥淚 tell stories that pull from my culture鈥檚 mythology, community elements and characters who are coming of age and learning about themselves,鈥� Elizabeth says. 鈥淚t's something that really excites me.鈥�
鈥淔ibbed鈥� has some autobiographical elements 鈥� both the author and protagonist are first- generation immigrants. It explores themes of colonialism and environmentalism in the tradition of African storytelling but with a modern twist.
"Fibbed" taps illustration skills from her fine arts undergraduate studies while her next book, 鈥淗eart-Shaped Lies,鈥� draws from her professional writing training. Slated for release later this year, that thriller novel for young adults follows efforts to solve the mysterious disappearance of a social media prank star.
鈥淭he novel was different because with a graphic novel, there鈥檚 a physical toll on your wrists from the drawing,鈥� Elizabeth says. 鈥淏ut coming up with a mystery that was exciting, challenging and fun was hard in its own way, too.鈥�
Elizabeth also works as an editor for HarperCollins Publishers and was named a Publishers Weekly Star Watch 2022 finalist, recognizing rising talent in publishing. Through her own editing efforts and service to publishing industry trade groups, Elizabeth is particularly passionate about opening a door for Black, Indigenous and People of Color creators.
鈥淚'm really an advocate for diverse voices,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 my mission as an editor to acquire books from diverse communities to really uplift their voices.鈥�
Story by Elizabeth Speed