Black History Month Author Spotlight: Maxine Blake
Autherine Publishing is committed to creating more diversity in the publishing industry by supporting both emerging and established authors. In honor of Black History Month, we are amplifying the voices of black authors by featuring 28 emerging authors. Please read their stories and continue to follow their writing journey.
Congratulations on your book and thanks for stepping into our Black History Month author spotlight. Please introduce your book to our audience.
My name is Maxine Blake and I’m from the UK. I recently retired after teaching for 37 years in mostly challenging schools and colleges. Don’t Poo in the Pudding Bowl is my first book and it is based on my humorous relationships with my students.
Why was it important for you to write this story?
The timing of the release of this book is important because of our present world situation and for those in education. Educators are under such pressure to maintain normality for the students and are under pressure themselves to maintain standards. We also know that generally children from minority backgrounds will suffer more due to multiple factors. This book shows how as a black teacher, I relate to my students and how many of them have gone on to succeed.
Describe your writing process or writing schedule.
Ideas can happen anywhere. When I see an old colleague, or I’m reminded of a situation or out running. I always have something to write on or to record on to get my ideas down. My teacher life was fast paced, so I often write in the kitchen when my husband is cooking to feed ideas back and forth.
Who is your favorite black author and how has that author inspired your writing journey?
MayaAngelou from the time I read her first book I was hooked. She portrayed resilience and determination to use the tools that you have around you to rise up.
Share a quote from your book or your favorite black history quote.
“You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness
But still like air I rise…” Maya Angelou
What words of advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Read, read and read, write, and write. Leave it, then review and read aloud.
What has been the most challenging part of the writing or publishing journey?
Getting the correct format for the humorous sections and getting my head around the different formats to upload to different distributers.
What is next on your journey and how can we support your book?
I’m writing my second book, more of a collaboration of teacher/educator stories, again they have humorous content. We still need to laugh so I’m collecting any stories that educators are happy for me to have and possibly adding my own flavor to it.
Maxine’s book is available on Amazon. You can also follow her journey on her website: https://maxineblake.com/.
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