Dhonielle Clayton Explained

Birth Place:Washington, D.C., U.S.
Education:
Notable Works:

Dhonielle Clayton (born 1983) is an American author and chief operating officer of We Need Diverse Books. She has written multiple book series, including The Belles (2018-2023). She also collaborated with Tiffany D. Jackson, Angie Thomas, Nic Stone, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon to write Blackout (2021).

Early life and education

Clayton was born in Washington, D.C. She went to Our Lady Of Good Counsel in Wheaton, Maryland. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Wake Forest University in 2005, a Master of Arts from Hollins University in 2008, and Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from The New School in 2012.[1] [2]

Career

Beyond writing, Clayton is president and owner of Cake Creative and Electric Postcard Entertainment, two boutique book packagers and Chief Operating Officer of We Need Diverse Books,[3] which seeks to increase representations of marginalized groups in children and young adult literature.[4] She also works as a sensitivity reader for children's literature and works to identify stereotypes or inauthentic portrayals of Black characters.[5] [6] She has also advocated for books to better represent people of color.[7] [8]

In 2019, Clayton and Zoraida Córdova started a podcast together called Deadline City. Together they co-host episodes and talk about publishing topics and their own experiences in publishing.[9]

Criticism

In 2019, Clayton attracted criticism for negative Tweets about a student of Northern State University, who had advocated for the inclusion of three books by persons of colour, including Bryan Stevenson's memoir Just Mercy about racial injustice, instead of a YA novel by Sarah Dessen, in the university's "Common Reads" program. Clayton later deleted the tweets.[10] [11]

Selected texts

Tiny Pretty Things series (2015–2023)

Clayton co-authored the Tiny Pretty Things series with Sona Charaipotra.[12] The series, which debuted in 2015, follows three teenage dance students at New York's American Ballet Company.[13] [14] Kirkus referred to volume one as "a page-turner with heart."[15]

In 2020, Tiny Pretty Things made its debut on Netflix as a series.[16] [17]

The Belles series (2018–2023)

See main article: The Belles.

The Belles series consists of three novels: The Belles (2018), The Everlasting Rose (2019) and The Beauty Trials (2023). The series was inspired by Clayton's interest as a teenager in magazines, beauty and how they affected the way she viewed herself later. The fantasy young adult novel centers a 16-year-old girl and her sisters, tasked with restoring beauty to a colorless grey world.[18] [19] [20]

Blackout (2021)

See main article: Blackout (young adult novel).

Blackout, co-authored with Tiffany D. Jackson, Angie Thomas, Nic Stone, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon, was published June 22, 2021 by Quill Tree Books. The authors have cited the book as being Clayton's "brainchild."[21]

Blackout is currently slated to become a movie and TV show produced by the Obamas for Netflix.[22]

Awards and honors

In 2021, Clayton won the IGNYTE Awards' Ember Award for Unsung Contributions to Genre.[23] [24]

Four of Clayton's books are Junior Library Guild selections: The Belles (2018)[25] and The Everlasting Rose (2019),[26] as well as the book and audiobook editions of Blackout (2021).[27] [28]

The Belles book was a New York Times bestseller. The Chicago Public Library (CPL)[29] and Kirkus Reviews named it one of the best young adult books of 2018. CPL also included it on their list of the best teen book covers of the year.[30]

The Marvellers was a New York Times bestseller.[31] Kirkus Reviews named it one of the best young adult books of 2022.

Blackout was named one of the best young adult novels of 2021 by Publishers Weekly.[32]

Awards for Clayton's writing!Year!Work!Award!Result!Ref.
2018Booklist Editors' Choice

Books for Youth

Selection[33]
Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult Fantasy & Science FictionNominee[34]
2019ALA Amazing Audiobooks for Young AdultsSelection[35]
ALA Best Fiction for Young AdultsSelection[36] [37]
Children's & Teen Choice Book AwardsFinalist[38]
Locus Award for Best Young Adult BookNominee[39]
Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult BookNominee[40]
2020Black EnoughAmazing Audiobooks for Young AdultsSelection[41]
The Everlasting RoseIGNYTE Award for Best Young Adult NovelNominee[42]
2022BlackoutALA Best Fiction for Young AdultsTop 10[43] [44]
Audie Award for Short Stories or CollectionsWinner[45]
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult ReadersSelection[46]
Cybils Award for Elementary and Middle Grade Speculative FictionFinalist[47]
2023Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult ReadersSelection[48]

Published works

Novels

Standalone books

The Belles trilogy

  1. The Belles (2018)
  2. The Everlasting Rose (2019)
  3. The Beauty Trials (2023)

Conjureverse series

  1. The Marvellers (2022)
  2. The Memory Thieves (2023)

The Mirror series

Each of the books in The Mirror series is authored by a different author. Clayton authored the second book in the series.

Tiny Pretty Things series

  1. Tiny Pretty Things with Sona Charaipotra (2015)
  2. Shiny Broken Pieces with Sona Charaipotra (2016)

Short stories

Anthologies edited

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 6 September 2019 . Alumni Sona Charaipotra, MFA Creative Writing '12, and Dhonielle Clayton, MFA Creative Writing '12, Co-Authored 'Tiny Pretty Things' Adapted to Netflix Series . 2020-02-23 . New School News . en-US . 2020-02-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200223172306/https://blogs.newschool.edu/news/2019/09/alumni-sona-charaipotra-mfa-creative-writing-12-and-dhonielle-claytons-mfa-creative-writing-12-co-authored-tiny-pretty-things-adapted-to-netflix-series/ . live .
  2. "Dhonielle Clayton." Gale Literature: Contemporary Authors, Gale, 2016. Gale Literature Resource Center, https://link-gale-com.unr.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/H1000318714/LitRC?u=reno&sid=LitRC&xid=65e0a8a2 . Accessed 2020-02-23.
  3. Web site: Clark . Sanina . 2022-01-13 . Q & A with Dhonielle Clayton . 2023-04-04 . . en . 2022-09-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220929175524/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/88285-q-a-with-dhonielle-clayton.html . live .
  4. Web site: Elam . Bridget . 2019-09-12 . Author Dhonielle Clayton discusses the need for diverse books . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190913035150/http://www.wschronicle.com/2019/09/author-dhonielle-clayton-discusses-the-need-for-diverse-books/ . 2019-09-13 . 2020-09-30 . WS Chronicle . en-US.
  5. Web site: Shapiro . Lila . 2018-01-05 . What the Job of a Sensitivity Reader Is Really Like . 2020-02-23 . Vulture . en-us . 2019-11-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191105032328/https://www.vulture.com/2018/01/sensitivity-readers-what-the-job-is-really-like.html . live .
  6. Web site: Neary . Lynn . 2017-02-28 . Experts Or Censors? The Debate Over Authors' Use Of Sensitivity Readers . 2020-09-30 . NPR.org . en . 2020-02-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200225152315/https://www.npr.org/2017/02/28/517657413/authors-hire-sensitivity-specialists-so-not-to-offend-readers . live .
  7. News: Valby . Karen . 2019-07-19 . Why Have Novels About Royalty Stormed the Y.A. Best-Seller Lists? . en-US . The New York Times . 2020-02-23 . 0362-4331 . 2020-02-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200223062436/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/19/books/review/ya-novels-royalty-best-sellers.html . live .
  8. Web site: Ettinger . Savi . 2019-09-05 . Women of color as artists: Kiran Ahluwalia vs. Dhonielle Clayton . 2020-02-23 . The NC Triad's altweekly . en-US . 2020-02-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200223172305/https://triad-city-beat.com/women-of-color-as-artists-kiran-ahluwalia-vs-dhonielle-clayton/ . live .
  9. Web site: A podcast and destination . 2021-10-20 . 2021-10-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211020160839/https://deadlinecity.com/ . live .
  10. Web site: Graham . Ruth . 2019-11-15 . The 2017 College Grad Who Got Attacked by a Horde of YA Authors Had No Idea What She Was Getting Into . 2020-10-07 . Slate Magazine . en . 2020-10-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201007052310/https://slate.com/culture/2019/11/sarah-dessen-ya-books-authors-brooke-nelson-social-media-attack.html . live .
  11. News: Wong . Julia Carrie . Julia Carrie Wong . 2019-11-16 . Hey, young adult authors: writing for teenagers is no excuse to act like them . en . . 2020-10-07 . 2021-04-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210419172411/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/nov/15/young-adult-ya-authors-sarah-dessen-brooke-nelson . live .
  12. Web site: 2015-04-27 . Tiny Pretty Things . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190401013701/https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-06-234239-3 . 2019-04-01 . 2020-09-30 . Publishers Weekly.
  13. Web site: 2015-02-16 . Tiny Pretty Things . 2023-04-04 . . 2022-11-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221111104405/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/sona-charaipotra/tiny-pretty-things/ . live .
  14. Stevenson . Deborah . 2015 . Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra . Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books . en . 69 . 1 . 16–17 . 10.1353/bcc.2015.0668 . 1558-6766 . 145420721.
  15. Book: TINY PRETTY THINGS . 2015-03-01 . Kirkus Reviews . en . 2020-09-30 . 2020-09-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200924060154/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/sona-charaipotra/tiny-pretty-things/ . live .
  16. Web site: Petski . Denise . 2019-08-06 . Netflix Orders 'Tiny Pretty Things' Ballet Drama Series Based On Book; Sets Main Cast . 2023-04-04 . Deadline . en-US . 2019-12-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191205030856/https://deadline.com/2019/08/netflix-orders-tiny-pretty-things-ballet-drama-series-based-book-cast-1202662556/ . live .
  17. Web site: 2019-08-16 . TV: Tiny Pretty Things; One of Us Is Lying . 2023-04-04 . . 2023-03-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230316153108/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3559 . live .
  18. Web site: 2017-11-13 . The Belles . 2023-04-04 . . 2022-01-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220103130945/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/dhonielle-clayton/belles-clayton/ . live .
  19. Quealy-Gainer . Kate . 2018-01-17 . The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton (review) . Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books . en . 71 . 6 . 242 . 10.1353/bcc.2018.0088 . 1558-6766 . 201722028.
  20. Web site: 2017-11-20 . The Belles . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190831150519/https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-4847-2849-9 . 2019-08-31 . 2020-09-30 . www.publishersweekly.com.
  21. Web site: Clark . Sanina . 2021-06-17 . 'Blackout' Authors on Centering Black Love . 2023-04-04 . . en . 2023-03-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230302044035/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/86685-q-a-with-the-authors-of-blackout.html . live .
  22. Web site: Littleton . Cynthia . 2021-07-12 . 'Blackout' Anthology Coming to Netflix From Obamas' Higher Ground and Temple Hill . 2023-04-04 . Variety . en-US . 2022-08-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220817104803/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/barack-michelle-obama-blackout-netflix-1235018134/ . live .
  23. Web site: 28 August 2021 . 2021 Ignyte Awards Results . 2022-06-17 . FiyahCon2021 . 2022-06-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220628181158/https://theconvention.fiyahlitmag.com/watch-the-ignyte-awards/ . live .
  24. Web site: 18 September 2021 . 2021 Ignyte Awards Winners . 2022-06-21 . Locus Magazine . 2021-09-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210919060014/https://locusmag.com/2021/09/2021-ignyte-awards-winners/ . live .
  25. Web site: The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton . 2022-01-03 . . 2022-01-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220103130956/https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/book/landing/detailedview?itemcode=9781484728499J&name=Belles . live .
  26. Web site: The Everlasting Rose by Dhonielle Clayton . 2022-01-03 . . 2022-01-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220103130953/https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/book/landing/detailedview?itemcode=9781484728482J&name=Everlasting_Rose . live .
  27. Web site: Blackout . 2023-04-04 . . 2022-01-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220101032842/https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/book/landing/detailedview?itemcode=9780063088092J&name=Blackout . live .
  28. Web site: Blackout (Audiobook) by Dhonielle Clayton . 2023-04-04 . Junior Library Guild.
  29. Web site: Best Teen Fiction of 2018 . 2022-01-03 . Chicago Public Library . en-US . 2022-05-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220528063839/https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/200121216/1304484427 . live .
  30. Web site: Best Teen Book Covers of 2018 . 2022-01-03 . Chicago Public Library . en-US . 2022-01-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220103132457/https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/200121216/1318412247 . live .
  31. Web site: 2022-03-02 . The Marvellers . 2023-04-04 . . 2022-05-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220528032510/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/dhonielle-clayton/the-marvellers/ . live .
  32. Web site: Best Books 2021: Publishers Weekly . 2023-04-04 . . 2023-03-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230327212927/https://best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2021/young-adult . live .
  33. Web site: 2019-01-01 . Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2018 . 2023-04-04 . . 2022-01-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220107043640/https://www.booklistonline.com/Booklist-Editors-Choice/pid=9713597 . live .
  34. Web site: The Belles. live. 2022-01-03. Goodreads. https://web.archive.org/web/20170828001544/https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23197837-the-belles . 2017-08-28 .
  35. Web site: 2019-03-15 . Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults: 2019 . 2023-04-04 . . 2019-04-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190407023116/https://www.booklistonline.com/Amazing-Audiobooks-for-Young-Adults/pid=9716852 . live .
  36. Web site: 2019-01-17 . 2019 Best Fiction for Young Adults . 2023-04-04 . Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) . en . 2022-09-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220929082626/https://www.ala.org/yalsa/2019-best-fiction-young-adults . live .
  37. Web site: 2019-03-15 . Best Fiction for Young Adults: 2019 . 2023-04-04 . . 2023-02-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230212095622/https://www.booklistonline.com/Best-Fiction-for-Young-Adults/pid=9716854 . live .
  38. Web site: The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220103130956/https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/book/landing/detailedview?itemcode=9781484728499J&name=Belles . 2022-01-03 . 2022-01-03 . Junior Library Guild.
  39. Web site: 2019-06-29 . 2019 Locus Awards Winners . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190630034244/https://locusmag.com/2019/06/2019-locus-awards-winners/ . 2019-06-30 . 2022-01-03 . . en-US.
  40. Web site: 2019-07-28 . 2019 Hugo Awards . 2022-01-03 . . en-US . 2019-07-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190729150726/http://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2019-hugo-awards/ . live .
  41. Web site: 2020-01-06 . 2020 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults . 2023-04-04 . Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) . en . 2022-10-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221005154213/https://www.ala.org/yalsa/2020-amazing-audiobooks-young-adults . live .
  42. Web site: Tejada . Andrew . 2020-10-17 . Announcing the Winners of the Inaugural Ignyte Awards! . 2022-01-03 . . en-US . 2022-02-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220220071948/https://www.tor.com/2020/10/17/announcing-the-winners-of-the-inaugural-ignyte-awards/ . live .
  43. Web site: 2022-03-15 . Best Fiction for Young Adults: 2022 . 2023-04-04 . . 2021-12-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211220162031/https://www.booklistonline.com/Blackout-/pid=9747920 . live .
  44. Web site: Serbekian . Michael . 2022-02-04 . YALSA names 2022 Best Fiction for Young Adults . 2023-04-04 . . en . 2022-06-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220604152653/https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2022/02/yalsa-names-2022-best-fiction-young-adults . live .
  45. Web site: 2022 Audie Awards . 2023-04-04 . . en-US . 2023-02-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230206001442/https://www.audiopub.org/2022audieawards . live .
  46. Web site: 2022-02-04 . 2022 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers . 2023-04-04 . Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) . en . 2022-10-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221013163302/https://www.ala.org/yalsa/2022-quick-picks-reluctant-young-adult-readers . live .
  47. Web site: 2023-01-04 . 2022 Cybils Awards Finalists . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230202160025/https://locusmag.com/2023/01/2022-cybils-awards-finalists/ . 2023-02-02 . 2023-03-29 . . en-US.
  48. Web site: 2023-02-01 . 2023 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers . 2023-04-04 . Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) . en . 2023-03-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230327162147/https://www.ala.org/yalsa/2023-quick-picks-reluctant-young-adult-readers . live .

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