Crystal Swain-Bates has her sights set on bringing diversity to the publishing world one book at a time. She is an author with a career in International Affairs who enjoys travel and entertaining and empowering African-American children with her books featuring characters that look just like them. Let’s meet her…
How did Crystal the International affairs major merge into Crystal the author?
I was Crystal the Author long before I even knew what International Affairs was! I have been writing since I was in elementary school and if we jumped into a time machine and went back to the 1980s, my younger self would proudly tell you that I was going to be an author when I grew up. Now, if you hit the wrong button, my 1990s self would have told you I was going to be a forensic scientist but that’s a different story and believe me, the full details of my story could be a book in and of itself but I’ll give you the short and sweet version. After earning my Master’s degree in International Affairs, working as an analyst for the federal government, and spending a few years living overseas, I felt like I had ticked all the boxes on my list of things to do. Travel the world? Check. Live overseas? Check. Learn a foreign language? Check. Work a fabulous job in my field of study? Check. Publish a book? Crickets. That moment was the catalyst for the eventual creation of Goldest Karat Publishing, LLC.
Tell us about your publishing company, Goldest Karat, how you begin as well as the services you offer and the genres it caters to.
I started Goldest Karat Publishing, LLC. a few years ago just before writing my first book. I didn’t know anything about starting a publishing company but after doing some research, I jumped in head first and somehow landed on my feet! Through my company, I aim to help fill a critical niche in the African-American literary market by highlighting positive imagery of black children in stories that they can relate to. I offer book coaching, phone consultations, and full service publishing services to authors who would like to self-publish but have no idea how to proceed.
Was there a defining moment or particular motivation that highlighted the lack of books (including activity/coloring etc.) showcasing African-American boys and girls?
Yes and I remember it very clearly. I was scrolling through stock photography sites looking for images I could use in a non-fiction book I was writing. I came across a beautiful black female cartoon doctor with dark skin and natural hair pulled back into a bun and I could not stop staring at her. It took me a while to figure out why I was so struck by the image. I eventually concluded that my mind was having a hard time processing what my eyes were seeing because I hadn’t seen anything like that before. Often when you see black cartoon characters, they are simply chocolate-coated or overly tan white characters. They have a pointy nose, thin lips, and straight hair and rarely have the physical features that are typically attributed to black people. I can’t relate to those characters because they don’t look like me. In fact, they don’t look like most black people I know. That’s why seeing that image of a positive black character that actually looked like she was black by design and not as an afterthought was powerful for me. On a hunch, I started researching black children’s books and I was disappointed to find that the majority of them were black history books. I recognized the need for a much wider variety of entertaining books for black children to read and decided to write books to fill that gap in the market.
Many mainstream publishers may not see the value in publishing books featuring characters of color prominently-based on what we see on the shelves . What do you suggest do parents and teachers get involved to get these publishers to open their eyes? Do you feel the diversity in literary offerings have gotten better since you started or basically stayed the same?
For decades there have been articles written and studies done decrying the lack of diversity in children’s books. The refusal of many of the major publishing houses to address this certainly does suggest that they don’t find black children’s books to be of value. It’s not that they aren’t of value to the African-American community, but many publishers don’t find black children’s books to be of value to them from a financial standpoint. Mainstream publishing companies are all about the bottom line and many people in this industry sadly have the false perception that black people don’t buy books. Publishers won’t publish what they think won’t be sold.
Another contributing factor that cannot be ignored is the fact that the publishing industry is dominated by white males. The lack of diversity in the books that they choose to publish is a direct reflection of the overall lack of diversity in the industry itself. This is why it is so important to have black-owned publishing companies around. We can tell the stories and show the images that other publishers have chosen to ignore.
Are there “tough” topics that you cover (or may cover in the future) within this genre such as bullying, self -image or peer pressure?
I don’t consider it a tough topic, but I do tend to focus on self-image in most of my books so when you read them, you see characters that are proud of the skin they are in. This is important to me because kids begin to develop their sense of self-esteem at a very young age and too many little brown children, especially girls, lack a positive self-image. Although several people have asked, I don’t really see bullying or peer pressure in my immediate future. I’d really like to write a few more fun books, simply because we don’t have enough books featuring black characters that are more entertaining and imaginative than issue-based. I am, however, considering a book for children in interracial households.
I can’t remember the exact way I came across your books, whether I was searching or came across my social media but the day I saw it was right on time. An actress I follow has just posted the day before on Instagram about her daughter coming home and saying she wanted her hair straightened because the kids were picking on her hair being “poofy” and was asking for recommendations on books etc. I have heard these types of stories before and wondered if you have ever marketed to natural hair salons/sites/groups?
When I initially developed my marketing strategy, it was focused on marketing to women with natural hair. I’ve since expanded that strategy but I do continue to exhibit every year at the Taliah Waajid hair show in Atlanta and I have spoken and exhibited at a few other hair events including the El Paso Hair Show and Naturals in the Park. I have also had a few salons purchase books wholesale to be sold in their salons.
Tell us about all of your books and give a brief summary.
I have written a total of 10 books, one under a very easily distinguishable pen name. Of those ten, eight are children’s books. My books range from story books to coloring and activity books to nonfiction. Details of each book are as follows:
Black Fairy Tales: In this coloring and activity book, 24 illustrations depict scenes from timeless tales such as “Cinderella”, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”, “Little Red Riding Hood”, “Pinocchio”, “Snow White”, “The Little Mermaid”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “The Princess and the Frog”, “Jack and the Beanstalk”, “Rapunzel”, “Peter Pan” and many other classics. In each illustration, the beloved black characters from the “Colorful Adventures” black coloring book line by Crystal Swain-Bates are dropped into the scene so that brown children worldwide can see themselves depicted in fairy tales.
More than just a coloring book, activity pages include thought-provoking questions (“If you had Aladdin’s magic lamp, what would you wish for?”), and fun pictures to complete (“Draw a crown for the princess”, “Design Cinderella’s dress for the ball!). Grab your box of crayons and bring these black and white illustrations of your favorite fairy tale heroes and heroines to life!
Naturally Me: Designed to boost self-esteem and build confidence in children of all ages, this fun rhyming picture book follows a freckle-faced girl and a gap-toothed boy throughout their day as they show the reader they celebrate their appearance and feel comfortable in their own skin, just the way they naturally are!
By the end of the story, young readers will be chanting the theme of the book: “I’m proud to be naturally me!”
Big Hair, Don’t Care: Designed to boost self-esteem and build confidence in kids of all races, this beautifully illustrated picture book featuring a little black girl who loves her big hair is aimed at boys and girls who may need a reminder that it’s ok to be different.
The Colorful Adventures of Zoe & Star: This book follows the afro-sporting Zoe & the braid-wearing Star as they imagine themselves as scientists, veterinarians, fairies, princesses, and more! Follow them throughout over 45 fun-filled coloring and activity pages that inspire creativity, promote self-confidence, and celebrate diversity.
The Colorful Adventures of Cody & Jay: This book follows Cody & Jay as they imagine themselves as scientists, race car drivers, superheroes, artists, and more! Follow them throughout over 40 fun-filled coloring and activity pages that inspire creativity, promote self-confidence, and celebrate diversity.
Color My Fro: In celebration of the beauty of black women with natural hair, 31 big-haired fairies, mermaids, warriors, models, cheerleaders, and fierce divas grace the pages of this coloring book. Fun for any occasion, “Color My Fro” is perfect for natural hair lovers of any age.
Supermommy: Perfect for children in single-parent homes, this picture book celebrates a single mother’s seemingly supernatural ability to care for her children, at least in her daughter Miadora’s eyes as she attempts to showcase her Supermommy at her school’s show and tell.
No Wheat for Me, I’m Gluten-Free! More than 2 million people in the United States have celiac disease, a digestive and autoimmune disorder that can damage the lining of the small intestine when gluten is eaten. As a child suffering from celiac disease, it can be difficult to understand how to deal with a restricted diet and many children feel alone in their gluten-free journey. Parents, teachers, and caregivers can use this fun, rhyming picture book to help explain what it means to be gluten-free, to reinforce the basics of what is and isn’t allowed on a gluten-free diet, and to show that being a gluten-free kid isn’t so bad after all.
How to Go Natural Without Going Broke: Perfect for transitioners, the newly natural, and natural hair pros alike, this easy-to-read guide is packed full of practical advice and money-saving tips to help you go fabulously natural without going broke!
Tell us about your life outside of writing?
In addition to writing, book coaching, and managing my publishing company, I’m also a full-time cyber analyst for the government. When I’m not working (or attempting to catch up on sleep!), I love to dine out, travel, and spend time with friends and family. While I don’t have kids or a pet, I’m thinking of getting a plant this year…
Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
Don’t tell my other characters I said this, but while I adore them all, Lola, the main character in “Big Hair, Don’t Care” is my favorite. Lola is just bursting with confidence. As the title suggests, her big hair makes her different and instead of trying to tame or hide it, she takes pride in her beautiful hair and completely owns it on every page!
What is the last good book you read?
Wired by Douglas E. Richards
Thank you for granting us this interview.How can readers reach out to you?
Readers can email me (crystal@goldestkarat.com), tweet me (@CSwainBates), follow me on Instagram (@goldestkarat), or like my author page on Facebook, which is my primary means of communicating with my followers (www.facebook.com/cswainbates or search Facebook for Author Crystal Swain-Bates)
