January Author Spotlight: Jamar J. Perry
Ashyle Noelle • Jan 26, 2023

BIO

Author of the middle grade fantasy series, Cameron Battle, Dr. Jamar J. Perry attended Berea College in Berea, KY, majoring in psychology and English literature and Education. After graduation, Dr. Perry became a middle school teacher in the Washington, D.C. area, hoping to instruct the next generation of scholars, thinkers, and writers. His research interests and writing currently focus on Black boys, the history of traditional and Black masculinity in America, and racial literacy.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOK(S)!

The Cameron Battle series is about a young 12 year old boy named Cameron Battle who loses his parents at the young age of 10. He is saddened that they are no longer with him and misses them. When he goes to live with his grandmother, he remembers the fantasy stories they used to tell him about a magical country of his ancestors, hidden within a famed book. During his summer sleepover with his friends, he goes to the attic and finds that book again, opening a portal to an entire new world of magic, heroes, and a fight for good and evil that has been raging for centuries. Cameron has to fully realize his potential as a hero, while also figuring out what really happened to his parents.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL GET OUT OF YOUR BOOKS?

I hope that readers, and especially Black male readers, see themselves in my books in whatever ways that make sense to them. I hope that they love fantasy, love magic, and love kids who get to become heroes who use magic. I am especially excited that they get to see the love of reading inside of my books, too. I want to be able to show them that not only is it amazing to love reading, but I want them to see characters who love reading as well!

WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO WRITE?

My own life inspires me to write. I had a troubled life growing up, full of abuse, neglect, and trauma. I struggled with my childhood growing up--and in some aspects, still do struggle with its after effects. Writing has allowed me to really hone in on those troubling aspects to figure out a way to learn from them. All of my books have hints of my autobiography in it. In the Cameron Battle series, Cameron Battle is analogous to me, a quiet boy who loved to read, someone who was not understood by others. Writing has allowed me to learn from my childhood and accept it for what it was, instead of trying to change something that I never can.

FAVORITE LINE FROM YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR AND/OR FROM YOUR BOOK?

“Sometimes I wrote things because I couldn’t say them, couldn’t sort out my

feelings about them, couldn’t keep them bottled inside me.”



—Dana from

Octavia E. Butler’s Kindred.

HOW DO YOU WEAVE YOUR CULTURE INTO YOUR WRITING?

I don't think we can truly separate ourselves from our cultures as Black writers. For me, it comes naturally, without even trying. It's not until I read my work back over do I realize that my entire life is splayed on the pages. And I think that's how it should be.

WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A BLACK CREATOR IN PUBLISHING?

I think the hardest thing is the waiting. As writers, we are always expected to get our writing in on time, and especially our edits and revisions. I don't think I have ever missed a deadline when it comes to turning in my drafts or final drafts of my books. However, I have found that  the same agency and hurriedness that I have is often not reciprocated. This has left me waiting longer times for my financial statements, etc. which has had me financially strapped at times. Because I grew up poor, I don't have family I can pull from when I am in a bind, so a lot of what I do hinges on my own personal responsibility. This can get challenging at times, and my other Black writer friends talk about this often. Luckily, I have an editor who has been very good with helping me out along the way with this, but not everyone gets this in their writing journey.

IS THERE ANY PROJECT YOU ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT CURRENTLY (W/OUT GIVING TOO MUCH AWAY)?

Ooh, yes! I'm excited about my rom com that will be coming out in 2024. I can't say much about it but I will say that it is a Black male/Black male rom com, something we sorely need in this industry. Not too often do we get to see this and I can't wait to bring more joy and love when I announce it and release it!

BEST TIP ON WRITING CRAFT?

Always read in the genre you want to write in, and read books that have been published in the last 5-10 years. This will help with trying to figure out how to write a book, how to worldbuild, how to create characters, and how to read critically. Only then can you start writing now that you have a model to follow....or ignore, haha.

ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER BLACK CREATORS?

Always connect with other Black creators who are writing at the same time you are, who are in the same career space as you. There's no need to look at people who are more successful than you are, because that only creates envy. Find your crew of Black writers you love who are writing with you because that makes all the difference.

FUN QUESTION! IT'S THE FIRST MET GALA FOR BLACK CREATORS! WHAT ARE YOU WEARING ON THE RED CARPET?

I am wearing a Black Armani suit, with subtle patterns decorating the coat. My pants are fitted, dangling near my ankles, but not too high. I'm holding onto or wearing a red cloak and a red tie/bow tie!

WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND YOU?

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