May 8th 2024.
LaDarrion Williams, an up-and-coming writer, has recently released his debut novel, Blood At The Root, which will hit bookstores on May 7th. The book takes a fresh spin on the beloved Harry Potter series by transporting the main character to a magical HBCU (Historically Black College and University). In an interview with The Associated Press, Williams shared the inspiring story of how a simple tweet turned into a dream come true.
It all started when Williams posed the question, "What if Harry Potter went to a HBCU in the South?" on his Twitter account in 2020. Little did he know that this tweet would go viral, catching the attention of readers from all over the world. People were so intrigued by the idea that they even started sending Williams money through CashApp and Venmo to support his project.
However, getting his book published was not an easy journey for Williams. Initially, he had envisioned his story as a television pilot, but he faced numerous obstacles in trying to bring it to life. Despite this setback, he remained determined and continued to share his story online. Unfortunately, his efforts did not lead to any concrete opportunities, and Williams found himself sinking into a state of depression.
But with the help of a friend, Williams found a new medium for his story - books. His friend suggested that he turn his idea into a novel, and with the ongoing civil unrest and social issues in America, Williams was unsure if his story would be well-received by publishers. However, his doubts were proven wrong when he was offered a 3-book deal in January 2023.
"I sold a book. I didn't just sell one; I sold three," Williams excitedly recalled upon receiving the news. His novel, Blood At The Root, stays true to his original vision of a coming-of-age story that celebrates Blackness and magic. The main character, Malik, is a 17-year-old boy from Helena, Alabama, who possesses magical powers and is enrolled in Caiman University, an HBCU for Black students.
Williams wanted to showcase the vulnerability and softness of his character, who extends love and compassion to his foster brother, something he did not experience as a child. He also wanted to challenge the stereotypical portrayal of Black boys as criminals, which is why he chose to have Malik on the cover wearing a hoodie. Despite the challenges he faced, Williams remained dedicated to his mission of creating a positive representation of Black characters in literature.
In addition to his book, Williams is also in talks to turn his story into a television series. He hopes to recreate the buzz and excitement that surrounded the release of Black Panther and inspire Black children through representation in the media. Blood At The Root is the first book in a three-part series, and Williams is thrilled to share his story with the world.
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