We recently connected with Alyssa Reynoso-Morris and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Alyssa, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
In truth, I believe my purpose found me. As a child, my grandmother told me it was my responsibility to improve the world. With this in mind, I volunteered a great deal as a teenager. I traveled the world and interned for a microfinance organization to alleviate poverty in Indian communities. I worked for the United Nations to help research the development of a witness protection program for the citizens of Rwanda after they testified in the Tribunal of Rwanda. I built water purification systems and aquaponic systems in the Dominican Republic. My purpose was to make the world better with my presence.
I witnessed my abuela tell captivating stories as a child and learned that this, too, is another way to make the world better. Everyone in our neighborhood would gather in her house to hear her stories over delicious food. I wanted to be just like her. It occurred to me that only those in close proximity to her could hear her stories, and I wanted a greater audience. I was seven years old when I realized I wanted to become an author so that my books would reach kids and parents all over the country and across other countries. In living this purpose, I can still feel her presence with me even though she has passed away.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My titles include being an author, motivational speaker, activist, and mother.
As an author, I write stories rooted in love. My first book, PLATANOS ARE LOVE, is a delicious picture book about the ways plantains shape Latinx culture, community, and family. It is told through a young girl’s experiences in the kitchen with her abuela. With every pop of the tostones, mash of the mangú, and sizzle of the maduros, a little girl learns that plátanos are her history, culture, and—most importantly—love.
My second book, THE BRONX IS MY HOME, is a picture book celebration of hometown pride, including the history, landscape, cuisines, cultures, and activities unique to this vibrant community. It is a love letter to the Bronx. The goal is for readers to know that they can become whatever they want to be no matter where they come from.
My third book, GLORIANA PRESENTE: A FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, features a child who is nervous about her first day of school. When she enters the classroom, she is bombarded with English phrases she does not understand. When other kids approach her to play at recess, she freezes, uncertain about how to exist between her two homes, or how to make new friends between her two languages. Abuela recognizes echoes of her own immigration journey on this challenging day at school, and she gently guides Gloriana toward newfound confidence. This book is a love letter to kids struggling on their first day of school as well as those struggling to find their voice.
In sum, I want kids who read my stories to know they are loved and held.
I offer author visits in addition to written books. To date, I have worked with dozens of schools, nonprofit organizations, and bookstores to deliver engaging literacy programming. I encourage kids to read and write their own stories. As a result of my author visits, they feel empowered to express themselves.
Lastly, I offer Author Development Sessions to help aspiring authors navigate their writing journey successfully. My consulting services help writers craft their manuscripts and query letters to get an agent. I also help them pitch your work. I also work with authors to create a book launch strategy and marketing plan to get the word out about your book. Let me help you sell your book(s)!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey are my eagerness to learn, my work ethic, and my enthusiasm. I have always surrounded myself with people who know more than me to learn from their experiences. This curiosity and desire to learn served me well on my journey to become an author. Secondly, as the oldest daughter of a single immigrant mother, I learned to work hard. I saw my mom and grandmother work tirelessly and followed suit. In fact, I am trying to learn balance now after years of being a workaholic. Thirdly, I have a lot of energy and enthusiasm for what I do, and it has brought me great success because kids can see when one is not authentic. When I visit schools, they can see I am genuinely eager to meet them. You can’t fake passion, and I am glad my energy is being celebrated in this industry.
My advice to aspiring authors is as follows: 1) read, 2) keep writing, 3) write the stories from your heart and don’t follow trends, and 4) support authors because it shows the publishing industry that there is a need and demand for our books.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Author visits are one of my favorite parts of being an author. Meeting students and sharing the power of storytelling with them excites me and keeps me going. I am fueled by hugs after school visits and fan mail. That said, I am looking to partner and collaborate with more schools, school districts, children’s museums, and other nonprofits interested in literacy. I also want to develop relationships with corporations that are in a position to sponsor these visits, as most of the schools I work with are under-resourced and underfunded Title I schools. They can connect with me via my website at alyssaauthor.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alyssaauthor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AReynosoMorris
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-reynoso-morris/
Image Credits
Ramsey
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
