Tellest: Hello Terance!  You and I have worked together a few times, but this is the first time that I have been able to perform a proper deep dive into all the incredible work you do.  It’s clear that you’re a very busy fellow, always grinding toward the next project.  Thank you for sharing some of your time with me so that we can talk about your books and the way you uplift your community.  I’m eager to reveal that a little better to our audience.

I always like to start an interview by learning about what set someone on their literary journey.  You’re an educator, so I’m sure that had a huge part to play, but when it came time to write a story, were you influenced by any authors, or members of your community?

Terance Shipman: I taught kindergarten for 11 years. That experience was one of my best years of teaching and learning. I talked with many of those students over the years. I decided to put those stories on paper and now books.

T: The book that you and I have talked about the most is The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm: The Robinsons.  It’s a little bit superhero, and a little bit scientific ingenuity, but you can tell another focus is presenting a loving family that rely and depend on one another.  What was the inspiration for this super family?

TS: I have read comics all my life. I have a huge comic book collection. My sons and daughter grew up reading them. I wanted to write about a family (African American) that inherit superpowers. The powers are not the focus, but the love and relationship of the family.

T: While The Robinsons has no doubt earned you a lot of accolades of its own, you’re also known for a series called Mr. Shipman’s Kindergarten Chronicles that helps to educate young readers.  That’s a wonderful feat, and you can see the joy on your face in pictures of you bringing those books to fairs and conventions.  How did you get started on that project?

TS: During the summer, six years ago I told my now wife that I was going to write these stories I have been carrying around in my head for years. I did and that was the start of the Kindergarten Chronicles.

T: Part of what makes your projects pop so well is that they’re absolutely stunning to look at.  A lot of folks who want to make some sort of illustrated project need to tap others for their talents.  What was it like finding the person (or team) that meshed perfectly with you for your projects?

TS: Milan Ristic is the best. I auditioned about twenty-five illustrators. His work was one of the first I saw. There was something special I saw in his work. I knew we could make a great team. He is amazing. The books are getting better and better each time. I am truly best to have one of the world’s best.

T: Back to The Robinsons.  Obviously, the book itself is incredible, and you and Prudence have been able to capture a lot of magic in it.  One of the things that’s true about superheroes and young adult fiction is that they have a penchant for longevity.  Do you see yourself following up with a sequel, and if so, when do you think we’d be able to learn more about it?

TS: The sequel is in the works. I have written the outline for the next three books. I was just talking with my son today about the next two books. Hopefully, we can get the next one out in 2023.

T: If someone wanted to know more about your Kindergarten Chronicles, or The Robinsons, or to learn more about you, where would they go?  Where on the web is the definitive place to find out about the things you’re working on?

TS: The best place to go is to my website www.teranceshipman.com. I am in the process of updating the website. I also have a new Kindergarten Chronicles that is about to be released in August. It will be the sixth book in the series.

T: Terance, I wanted to thank you once again for your time.  I know that you’re an incredibly busy person, and I appreciate having the opportunity to talk to you about the world that you’re crafting here.  I do hope that you’ll come back when you have the availability.  I feel as though we just scratched the surface, and I’m sure the audience will love to hear more about you and your books.

Folks, if you’re interested in picking up Mister Shipman’s book, please hurry to add it to your collection.  Check out The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm: The Robinsons on Amazon today!

The post Interview with Terance Shipman appeared first on Tellest.

Authors Terance L. Shipman and Prudence William have set out to create a fantastic story that weaves and meanders, keeping readers on their toes throughout the adventure.  In The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm: The Robinsons, readers are introduced to the titular heroes, members of a loving family who are easy to cheer on, because their intelligent, crafty, and wholesome.  The book is captivating because readers want to spend time with Mahalia and Malcolm as they set off on their important journey.  With great writing, and beautiful illustrations by Yvonne Abuda, it’s hard to close the book, and exceedingly easy to convince yourself to read just one more page.

Every now and then a book comes along that is just so purely delightful that you can’t help but grin while you read it. The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm: The Robinsons, by Terance Shipman and Prudence Williams, is 100% one of those books. The book follows two middle-grader siblings, Mahalia and Malcolm, and their large, loving and wonderful African-American superhero family. Just when the Robinson family is united to celebrate the homecoming of Uncle Junior, the night takes a turn that changes Malcolm and Mahalia’s lives forever. The family is attacked by strangers with drugged bullet darts. An evil guy dressed in a red hoodie orders his goons to injure their grandmother Olivia and her two sons. They kidnap their grandfather Marshall and take him away to an unknown location. Malcolm and Mahalia must use their superpowers to help protect their family. Along with their grandmother Olivia, they are set off on a daring quest to bring back Grandpa Marshal. The characters in this book are smart and naturally witty, the story is full of great twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

In the world of fantasy where animals speak and magic is real, it can sometimes be hard to find main characters that aren’t white. Luckily, there are middle-grade books like The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm: The Robinsons coming out that both feature characters of color and are written by people of color.

Filled with adventure, joy, and wonder, The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm: The Robinsons is the perfect beginning to a fun middle-grade book about the bonds of love and family. Anyone looking for a little magic in their lives will find it here.

The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm is the sort of superhero story that younger fans of the genre, and older readers alike will be grateful for.  It’s a story that is a breath of fresh air in a lot of ways.  Readers will see representation here that isn’t often available to fans who wish to see diversity in their fantasy.  Shipman and Williams deliver, crafting a delightful story that might just become a modern classic.  Fans of this tale, of which there are bound to be many, can rejoice in the knowledge that there are more to come for the kid heroes of the story and their family.  Check out The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm: The Robinsons on Amazon today!

The post Science Fiction Promo – The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm: The Robinsons appeared first on Tellest.

Authors Terance L. Shipman and Prudence William have set out to create a fantastic story that weaves and meanders, keeping readers on their toes throughout the adventure.  In The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm: The Robinsons, readers are introduced to the titular heroes, members of a loving family who are easy to cheer on, because their intelligent, crafty, and wholesome.  The book is captivating because readers want to spend time with Mahalia and Malcolm as they set off on their important journey.  With great writing, and beautiful illustrations by Yvonne Abuda, it’s hard to close the book, and exceedingly easy to convince yourself to read just one more page.

Every now and then a book comes along that is just so purely delightful that you can’t help but grin while you read it. The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm: The Robinsons, by Terance Shipman and Prudence Williams, is 100% one of those books. The book follows two middle-grader siblings, Mahalia and Malcolm, and their large, loving and wonderful African-American superhero family. Just when the Robinson family is united to celebrate the homecoming of Uncle Junior, the night takes a turn that changes Malcolm and Mahalia’s lives forever. The family is attacked by strangers with drugged bullet darts. An evil guy dressed in a red hoodie orders his goons to injure their grandmother Olivia and her two sons. They kidnap their grandfather Marshall and take him away to an unknown location. Malcolm and Mahalia must use their superpowers to help protect their family. Along with their grandmother Olivia, they are set off on a daring quest to bring back Grandpa Marshal. The characters in this book are smart and naturally witty, the story is full of great twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

In the world of fantasy where animals speak and magic is real, it can sometimes be hard to find main characters that aren’t white. Luckily, there are middle-grade books like The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm: The Robinsons coming out that both feature characters of color and are written by people of color.

Filled with adventure, joy, and wonder, The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm: The Robinsons is the perfect beginning to a fun middle-grade book about the bonds of love and family. Anyone looking for a little magic in their lives will find it here.

The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm is the sort of superhero story that younger fans of the genre, and older readers alike will be grateful for.  It’s a story that is a breath of fresh air in a lot of ways.  Readers will see representation here that isn’t often available to fans who wish to see diversity in their fantasy.  Shipman and Williams deliver, crafting a delightful story that might just become a modern classic.  Fans of this tale, of which there are bound to be many, can rejoice in the knowledge that there are more to come for the kid heroes of the story and their family.  Check out The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm: The Robinsons on Amazon today!

The post Urban Fantasy Promo – The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm: The Robinsons appeared first on Tellest.

Authors Terance L. Shipman and Prudence William have amassed a wonderful catalog of books for middle-grade children, but with their latest, the pair have brought to life their best story yet.  In The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm: The Robinsons, readers are treated to a family-centric superhero story with wonderful emotional payoff which is all wrapped up in some fantastic magic.  With catching prose by the talented authors, and gorgeous illustrations by Yvonne Abuda, the tale is sure to get its hooks into readers of all ages.  It’s a family that readers can root for, and they’ll want to see what happens next.

Mahalia, an eighth grader, and her brother, Malcolm, a fifth grader are just beginning to learn to use their unique superpowers. Now their family has been attached, and they must use those powers to save their Grandfather from Titus. Titus is evil and seems determined to kill their family. Not knowing why such mayhem has fallen on their family, the siblings must quickly learn to harness their superpowers and rush to help their Grandmother save their family.  

They know that they are not the typical African American family, but that doesn’t stop them from being kids, and as Mahalia and Malcolm set off on a brave and daring adventure to rescue their family, they struggle with the normal fears and anxieties that all kids experience. During their journey, they discover the enormous range of their superpowers, incredible secrets about their family, like Douglass: the family’s robot, and RedTail1: the family’s aircraft, and the courage that it take to keep a superhero family together. Filled with excitement and riveting escapades, The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm the Robinsons is the perfect book to show young readers that superheroes come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and ages!

The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm is the sort of superhero story that younger fans of the genre will be grateful for.  But no matter the reader’s age, they will be hungry for more, as a middle-grade reader, or an adult eager to share the magic with their child.  The action within the story isn’t sewn together for thrills, although you certainly get them here regardless.  Instead, it’s built on heart, courage, and wide-eyed wonder.  Fans of this tale, of which there are bound to be many, can rejoice in the knowledge that there are more to come for the kid heroes of the story and their family.  Check out The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm: The Robinsons on Amazon today!

The post Urban Fantasy Promo – The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm: The Robinsons appeared first on Tellest.