Debut Author Panel: Pamela Harris

Pamela N. Harris is an author of books for young adults. Her debut novel, When You Look Like Us, is an Odyssey Award winner for Excellence in Audiobook Production for Young Adults, as well as the winner of SCBWI’s Golden Kite Award for Young Adult Fiction. It is also an NAACP Image Award nominee (2022) for Outstanding Literary Work: Youth/Teens, and a 2022 Edgar Award nominee for Best Young Adult novel. Pamela’s next young adult novel, This Town is on Fire, is set to be released in 2023.

Q. Talk about your childhood lived experience and what called you to the work you do today.

A. Harris is a self-described "Blerd," Black + Nerd. An only child from a military family, she traveled the country and moved around a lot. This happened before the internet, so young Harris could not keep in touch with friends left behind—which often left her feeling lonely. That's where books came in, they became her best friends! She loved reading anything by Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary. And one of her favorite books was Troll Prince!


Q. What were some of the most challenging moments along your journey?

A. The entire journey was more more challenging than expected. Harris started out writing YA at a time when blogging was a popular thing. In her spare time, she read blogs like YA HIGHWAY, friending YA writers and watching while friends got agents and went on to get published. Things happened at a slower pace for her, however. Even after getting an agent, 7 or 8 years went by without getting a book deal—which was discouraging. "The whole process was exhausting. Maybe the world doesn't want to hear my stories," she said to herself. For awhile, Harris focused less on her writing and channeled more energy onto getting a PhD. By that time, she'd lost her motivation to write. But it was was writers like Angie Thomas and Nic Stone that offered hope. Up until that point, Harris felt like she had to write Black characters for white audiences. What she learned from Thomas and Stone is the importance of being honest about her culture—presenting her authentic self through her words.


Q. What was the craft lesson, the missing piece, sold debut book

A. While drafting was her favorite part of the writing process, she didn't feel confident when it came time to revise. But after attending a revision retreat led by Cherl Klein (today the editorial director at Lee & Low Books), things began to make more sense. Klein broke the revision process down, scene by scene, emotional beat by emotional beat. The session helped her to determine what her characters need to say and how they need to evolve. She also learned to use spread sheets during the revision process. Recommended: Second Sight: An Editor's Talks on Writing, Revising, and Publishing Books for Children and Young Adults (Asterisk Books, March 2011).

Q. How did your book begin? What do you hope your book will make readers think about?

Harris' debut You Look Like Us came at a dark time in her life. She'd experienced a lot of rejection and was sick of it. She'd just earned her PhD and was preparing to become a professor in higher Ed, when an editor reached out to her looking for book that centered black characters in a mystery-- to which she jumped at the opportunity. After writing and submitting a few drafts, the editors liked her work. Soon, she found herself flying to NYC to meet with her publisher. Still, she struggled with writing authentically. It wasn't until she stopped writing with a filter, turning off her inner censor.

Q. How has publishing changed your life: 

A. Harris is now better with allowing herself time to write. Over time, she fell back in love with reading—especially on Audible! Read through listening has made her a better writer.