Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Shields
Hi Erika, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a twenty-something teacher, creative, and now author. I have always been able to create beautiful things that keep me up at night and blossom into beautiful projects by morning. For the first seven years of my twenties, my creative outlets were lesson plans, decor for my classrooms and gift-giving to my loved ones.
But, year twenty-eight gave me writing.
Two weeks after my birthday last summer, I experienced the biggest and most devastating trauma of my life (I’d tell you about it, but that would ruin my book). On my worst night, my cousin Kabian told me I should write what I went through in story form. That trauma, alongside a string of other life events, turned into my debut novel. “Juxtaposition” centers around a woman named Emani Jagger, and will be available for pre-order in a month for August 8, 2025, my 30th birthday.
My writing didn’t stop there. My psychiatrist referred to “Juxtaposition” as my baby, and I just didn’t see it that way. From there, my children’s picture book series was planned and dreamed up. Leon Angel is a name that I’ve had in my notes app for a future child, so my favorite character was born. The series centers around him and my loved ones. The topics tackled throughout the saga range from growing up/becoming a big brother, to learning about mental health, from staying healthy in flu season, to some of my favorite historical figures. It truly is my baby.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have done career days at Baltimore, Laurel, and Silver Spring schools, and answered many questions. One of the most common is the hardest part. My answer every time has been waiting process! For me, ideas are the easiest part. My brain runs wild with topics and details I want my illustrator to draw. In the span of eight months, I have two books published (“Happy birthday, Leon Angel” and “Welcome home, Destiny Jade”) and eight books sitting in wait.
Good things take time, and allowing time between books, time for my illustrator to do her magic, or publishing them at times that make sense is so important. Don’t be afraid to take your time!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a writer that specializes in contemporary/realistic fiction and children’s literature. The unique parts about my stories are the personal touches and my teaching background.
I’ve been teaching for six years, and the year I became an author was also the year I became an ELD (English Language Development) teacher. My students became my inspirations and the greatest fans of my Leon Angel Saga.
Every person that is in my books represents some in my life. In the first two books, I’ve already gotten to introduce the characters for my best friends and favorite co-teacher. Shout-out to my friends that became family and my friends, Nelly and Ian, starting their family!
I am so proud that over the entirety of saga, it will features my family, friends, fellow educators, and my students.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
For my children’s books, the most important thing is creating a character of color that Black and Brown kids can relate to. I wanted Leon Angel to be a kid that was cool, funny, and someone they wanted to be friends with. There can never be enough books about kids of color just existing, and I want Leon Angel to be a household name.
For my novel, I wanted to encapsulate trauma that other women go through, but not to feel like a trauma dump. I love books about Black women existing, like “Queenie,” “Americanah,” and “Red at the Bone.” I wanted my “Juxtaposition” to feel like those.
As a Black writer, I really want to create realistic stories that people from ages 4 to 104 can relate to.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/erikatheewriter
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikatheewriter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556233978058
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@erikatheewriter
Image Credits
Leon Angel illustrations by Gabriela Grave (@artbyiela)
Sarah and Bennie the Corgi (@corgi.reads.books)
Novel cover by Amanda Cestaro.
