Bestselling Author Tomi Adeyemi Visits New Orleans to Discuss Genre Change and Creative Transformations Revised

Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone was published on March 6, 2018, and within weeks debuted at No. 1 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Eight years later, the acclaimed author is entering a new chapter in her career.

Adeyemi visited Baldwin & Co. Bookstore in New Orleans on Oct. 1st to discuss her newest novel, The Siren, and the creative risks that came with moving beyond the fantasy world that first introduced her work to readers.

“This is the first book I’ve ever written that is set in our world,” Adeyemi said. “Everything I have ever written up until this point was a fantasy.”

During a conversation moderated by Brandan “BMike” Odums of StudioBE, Adeyemi said the decision to explore a new genre reflected her own evolution as an artist.

“You can only create from where you are and you can’t stop yourself from evolving, especially because you’re an artist,” Adeyemi said. “The girl who wrote Children of Blood and Bone is not the woman standing in front of you now.”

That transformation is evident in The Siren, Adeyemi’s first novel set in the contemporary world. Moving beyond fantasy also meant stepping outside the universe of Children of Blood and Bone, the novel that launched her career and built a devoted readership.

Adeyemi acknowledged that she was uncertain whether longtime fans would follow her into this new creative territory.

“I didn’t know if I could count on the people who have been rocking with me for 10 years to ride with me for this one,” Adeyemi said. “But when you guys walk through the door, and I see Children of Blood and Bone in your hands…it does something to me.”

For attendees, the event offered a glimpse into the creative process behind Adeyemi’s newest work. Scylla Marion, a Federal Background Investigator from San Antonio, Texas, extended a trip to New Orleans to attend the conversation.

“I was unaware, first of all, that this book was contemporary,” Marion said, noting the mystery surrounding the novel before its release. “I really loved hearing her inspiration, her take on things. This is an author who is an automatic buy for me.”

The event also attracted members of New Orleans’ Black Creative Community, including True Blerd, an artist involved with BLERD Fest.

True said the festival works to connect Black audiences with creators across literature, video games, film and popular culture while encouraging community members to move beyond simply consuming creative work.

“We want to bring those people in, have them speak on panels, and teach classes in workshops so that we can help our community make the transition from consumer to creator,” True said.