Robyn Z. Abdusamad was raised in Chocowininty, North Carolina. While in college, her love for writing would lead her to work as copyeditor for the university’s year book, publish articles in the NC A&T Registar and the Greensboro News & Record. She graduated from NC A&T State University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Communication and Public Relations and accepted a job offer in Atlanta, GA as a Marketing Coordinator for CIGNA Healthcare. After several years in GA, the company downsized forcing Robyn to return home to NC where she found a job working for National Multiple Sclerosis Society as a Community Events Manager and Editor. She later returned to her alma mater as an Assistant Director of Annual Giving and further developed her public relations and fund raising skills. She also found herself working in the Greensboro Public school system as an Site Director for their afterschool program. That experience coupled with raising young children is what first peaked her interest in writing children’s books.
While enjoying her career she continued to write and eventually returned to school and completed her Master’s degree in Public Administration from National University. Once she became a wife and a mother she became serious about writing children’s books—ultimately writing five books (two of which are published). Currently, Robyn and her family reside in Texas-Dallas Fort Worth area. In addition to her freelance writing, she also works as a public relations consultant. Her hobbies include spending quality time with her husband and their three children, traveling, reading, writing and volunteering in the community.
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· Excerpt: Sisters Zaynab and Zakiyyah experience their first encounter with racial prejudice and are saddened by what they hear. Read about how they overcome intolerance and realize the beauty of ethnic diversity in this touching story about the importance of countering ignorance with knowledge and kindness.
Sisters Zaynab and Zakiyyah experience their first encounter with racial prejudice and are saddened by what they hear. Read about how they overcome intolerance and realize the beauty of ethnic diversity in this touching story about the importance of countering ignorance with knowledge and kindness.
Get to know the author:
1. Interviewer: What three words best describe “You Are Beautiful”?
Robyn: truth, inspirational and loving
2. Interviewer: You wrote a book prior to this one titled, “Wahid and His Special Friend”, tell us about your books.
Robyn: Yes, “Wahid and His Special Friend” was my first book which was published last year. It is a cute rhyming book that is a quick read for children ages 0 – 7. “You Are Beautiful” is about two sisters who experience their first encounter with racial prejudice and are saddened by what they hear. It is a heartfelt and uplifting story about growing up and embracing ethnic diversity.
3. Interviewer: So, what inspired “You Are Beautiful”? Where did the story idea come from?
Robyn: My children inspired me as well as the society we live in. The story idea came from a time I was working in the school system and how I would hear elementary children make comments about ethnic groups that were different from them. I would always correct them but I found it to be very unfortunate for a child to be so misinformed at an early age. So, this book touches on that experience while providing a solution too. It serves as a great introduction to speak with your children about these social issues whether it is your own children or if you are teacher, the students in your classroom.
4. Interviewer: You have written children books, do you see yourself writing for any other audiences?
Robyn: Absolutely! I have completed “Zaynab’s Enchanted Scarf” and I am in the process of finishing “Zakiyyah’s Flower Garden” then I would like to move on to some adult books that will be related to relationships. The first one I have in mind is “After the Nikah” or marriage.
5. Interviewer: Who or what inspires you to write?
Robyn: My children inspire me a lot. My parents and my grandmother – things they
used to advise me on as well as day-to-day experiences in life.
6. Interviewer: How do you get your ideas?
Robyn: My ideas come from observing people, personal experiences and current events.
7. Interviewer: Where can our readers purchase these wonderful books?
Robyn: “Wahid and His Special Friend” can be purchased online at Barnes & Noble or Authorhouse. “You are Beautiful” will be released on November 28th, but readers can pre-order their book now and in doing so, they will receive an autographed copy of the book. It can be pre-order through my publisher at http://www.mindworksbooks.com/#!coming-soon/ccbn.
Find the author/Book:
www.robynabdusamad.com (under construction – should be up by the end of the month)
www.omeraproductions.com
https://www.facebook.com/omera.projects
Follow her on twitter at @OmeraProduction
Email address: [email protected]
The book release date is Nov. 28, 2014, but readers may pre-order their copy now at http://www.mindworksbooks.com/#!coming-soon/ccbn Autograph copies are available to those who pre-order.
1. Interviewer: What three words best describe “You Are Beautiful”?
Robyn: truth, inspirational and loving
2. Interviewer: You wrote a book prior to this one titled, “Wahid and His Special Friend”, tell us about your books.
Robyn: Yes, “Wahid and His Special Friend” was my first book which was published last year. It is a cute rhyming book that is a quick read for children ages 0 – 7. “You Are Beautiful” is about two sisters who experience their first encounter with racial prejudice and are saddened by what they hear. It is a heartfelt and uplifting story about growing up and embracing ethnic diversity.
3. Interviewer: So, what inspired “You Are Beautiful”? Where did the story idea come from?
Robyn: My children inspired me as well as the society we live in. The story idea came from a time I was working in the school system and how I would hear elementary children make comments about ethnic groups that were different from them. I would always correct them but I found it to be very unfortunate for a child to be so misinformed at an early age. So, this book touches on that experience while providing a solution too. It serves as a great introduction to speak with your children about these social issues whether it is your own children or if you are teacher, the students in your classroom.
4. Interviewer: You have written children books, do you see yourself writing for any other audiences?
Robyn: Absolutely! I have completed “Zaynab’s Enchanted Scarf” and I am in the process of finishing “Zakiyyah’s Flower Garden” then I would like to move on to some adult books that will be related to relationships. The first one I have in mind is “After the Nikah” or marriage.
5. Interviewer: Who or what inspires you to write?
Robyn: My children inspire me a lot. My parents and my grandmother – things they
used to advise me on as well as day-to-day experiences in life.
6. Interviewer: How do you get your ideas?
Robyn: My ideas come from observing people, personal experiences and current events.
7. Interviewer: Where can our readers purchase these wonderful books?
Robyn: “Wahid and His Special Friend” can be purchased online at Barnes & Noble or Authorhouse. “You are Beautiful” will be released on November 28th, but readers can pre-order their book now and in doing so, they will receive an autographed copy of the book. It can be pre-order through my publisher at http://www.mindworksbooks.com/#!coming-soon/ccbn.