Today we’d like to introduce you to Marie Chan
Hi Marie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My writing journey began when another mom, who was a writing coach, encouraged me to write and share my story to help others struggling with grief and loss. This one conversation planted the seed of storytelling in my heart and the potential positive impact my words could have on the lives of others. Despite my doubts and struggles with imposter syndrome, I learned how to write a blog and took steps towards writing a book.
A few months later, right before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I met author Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young at Someday is Here, a conference for Asian American women leaders in Southern California. Dorina recommended that I join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). My SCBWI SoCal regional critique group gave me valuable feedback on my manuscripts that led to receiving a BIPOC scholarship to attend their annual conference to learn how to write and illustrate children’s books. I never imagined that our one conversation would also lead me to being a mentee in the Redbud Writers Guild mentoring program and having Dorina be my mentor!
Joining a writing community has been pivotal to my development as a writer. My training is in music and elementary education, but writing curriculum and lesson plans are different from writing a children’s book. Each genre has its own unique format. I am grateful that God has provided different mentors and writing coaches who have helped me on my writing journey. When I shared my concern about the paucity of Asian American biographies represented in children’s literature, Helen Hope Kimbrough offered to coach me in the initial stages of writing my biography, Mamie Takes a Stand: The True Story of Mamie Tape, a Chinese American Girl’s Fight for School Rights. Although she is African American and I am Asian American, I felt like she understood the core message and themes of my book: acceptance, belonging, justice, and civil rights.
BIPOC authors need advocates to support them as they break new ground in the publishing industry. I met my agent, Jevon Bolden, founder of Embolden Media Group, through a wonderful writers’ conference called Publishing in Color; I appreciate the advocacy work she is doing for diverse authors. I also met prayer partners through Entrusted Women, a group for Christian communicators of color, that empowered and encouraged me to persevere in publishing my book.
Publishing is not for the faint of heart, so it is best not to walk this journey alone. Being intentional about building community and connecting with others has been such a blessing as I write.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I experienced many rejections for my initial manuscript. Sometimes it took months to receive any reply and sometimes I didn’t get any response at all. Instead of taking rejection personally, I focused on improving my writing skills and learning more about the business of writing and publishing. In hindsight, I see that my original manuscript wasn’t quite the best it could be and I needed this time to make multiple revisions and conduct additional research to make my story more compelling.
Furthermore, injuries sustained in a car accident and suffering a frozen shoulder impeded my ability to write and type at my computer for long hours. I had difficulty dressing myself and even simple tasks, such as picking up a piece of paper off the ground, caused pain.
During this time of recovery, I learned to rely on God’s strength and to persevere and pray through any problems that impeded my writing process. I prayed for those who would be reading my writing, and I tried to listen and understand their needs, so I would be better prepared to address their concerns in my stories. I can truly say that God has done more than I could ask for or imagine as readers, such as my former students, have shared the positive impact that my book, Mamie Takes a Stand, has had on their lives. It brings joy to my heart to hear how readers feel seen, their cultural heritage affirmed, and their authentic and unique identity valued.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I write children’s books that highlight hidden figures in Asian American history. Being the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants inspired me to write diverse children’s books that amplify underrepresented voices and build cross-cultural awareness. I hope my writing encourages those who are marginalized to feel seen, valued, and loved. My writing celebrates the unique way each person has been made in the image of God.
I am grateful that Mamie Takes a Stand recently received a 2024 Eureka! Gold Award for Excellence in Children’s Nonfiction from the California Reading Association. Mamie Takes a Stand also was included on the Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature’s list of Best Books of 2024. When I was a child, I did not see Asian Americans represented on the bookshelves of my school library, so I am treasuring this moment that reading teachers and librarians recognize the importance of including diverse biographies like Mamie Takes a Stand. I hope my book helps readers grow in empathy and respect for others to create a more just and compassionate world.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I love inspiring students and sharing the research behind my book Mamie Takes a Stand. My presentations reach both young and old audiences. I presented to young children during Storytime in the Galleries at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California and mostly to elders when I spoke with Mamie Tape’s great-granddaughter at the Portland Chinatown Museum. Children’s books are not just for kids. In fact, a Chinese American teacher, who was 99 years old, bought my book and also shared her oral history when I spoke in Portland, Oregon. I also enjoy meeting families in the community at book festivals and signed books at the Los Angeles Kids’ Book Festival and the Orange County Children’s Book Festival.
You can request me to speak for a virtual or in-person school visit. I also am available to lead writing workshops for children and adults and provide professional development for teachers. You can learn more about the workshops I can customize for your group at https://mariechan.com/speaking/.
You can invite me to share about my book on your podcast, blog, panel, and on Instagram Live. During my book launch, one of my former students interviewed me on her podcast called Erasing Shame. I enjoyed reconnecting with her and was encouraged to see her leading and co-hosting this podcast.
Request Mamie Takes a Stand at your school or local library. You can request a purchase on your library’s website and ask your librarian to invite me to speak at your local library. You can find more information about my upcoming events at https://mariechan.com/upcoming-events/.
Read Mamie Takes a Stand for your book club. You can download the digital Parent & Educator Guide for Mamie Takes a Stand at mariechan.com/books for engaging, multisensory, cross-curricular activities to use with your book club, family, or classroom.
Review Mamie Takes a Stand online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, and other retailers. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205804825-mamie-takes-a-stand
Recommend Mamie Takes a Stand to your friends, teachers, librarians, and community leaders. Share about it on social media. Buy additional copies to give as gifts!
CURRICULUM GUIDE CONSULTATIONS
I also consult authors on writing curriculum guides and help them create engaging, cross-curricular lesson plans and hands-on activities to use with their books. You can contact me at my website, mariechan.com, if you are interested in scheduling a consultation about writing, creating, or receiving feedback about a parent and educator resource guide to accompany your book.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mariechan.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariechanbooks/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariechanbooks/
- Twitter: https://x.com/mariechanbooks
Image Credits
Chan Family
