Quick Summary
Let’s check in with Dr. Artika Tyner, a winner of the Minnesota Author Project from previous years!
The MN Author Award celebrates independent authors by giving them a platform to share their stories, highlight their work, reach new audiences, and possibly even serve as a launching pad for new work or endeavors. One of these authors is Dr. Artika Tyner, who won the Community Creates category in 2023 with her title, Aya: An Anthology of Racial Justice, Healing and the Black Experience, and in 2024 with her title, Rondo: History and Values. Dr. Artika Tyner is a multifaceted artist who uses literature as a tool to advance social change through preserving history, amplifying voices, and modeling inclusive leadership. To learn more about Dr. Artika Tyner and stay up to date, make sure to check out her website, as well as both her award-winning titles via Indie Minnesota!
What did winning the MN Author Project mean to you?
Winning the MN Author Project has motivated me to continue building stronger communities through the transformative power of arts and culture. As the founder of Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute (an arts & humanities nonprofit), I take great pride in our mission and commit my daily efforts to growing our impact. Our mission is to plant seeds of social change through education, training, and community education. We achieve our mission and goals through our innovative, arts-centered literacy and writing programs - where we support children, families, and community members with access to books and learning spaces that affirm identity, elevate lived experience, and amplify voices.
Since your wins in 2023 and 2024 with your books Aya: An Anthology of Racial Justice, Healing and the Black Experience and Rondo: History and Values, what have been some significant milestones in your writing career or for the specific book?
The most significant milestone is continuing the series. We are now working on new editions of Aya: An Anthology of Racial Justice, Healing and the Black Experience, and Rondo: History and Values. I have the honor and privilege of working with students who are completing their submissions. I learn more about their dreams and aspirations. This has provided me with renewed hope for the future. I see a generation of emerging leaders who are committed to leaving the world a better place than how they found it. Their poems, essays, and reflections serve as tools to share their vision and refine their leadership skills.
One such example is the words of Deana (2026 Honoree), who wrote: I can live out the Rondo value: EDUCATION by showing others what I am capable of. I will take action by saying positive words to others and standing up for my community. I’ll fight with my words for justice for the Rondo community because everyone is loved and beautiful. I will believe in my dreams, and so will you. We all have a path, so follow it. Just remember you are loved.
How did/has the award’s connection to Minnesota libraries helped you engage with your local community or reach new readers?
The award has helped us to reach community members across the state. Our work has extended beyond our Rondo community with the support of libraries. Our books are now accessible at Minnesota libraries. We are excited each time a parent or teacher sends an email or note. They share their commitment to honor Rondo’s history and serve as leaders in their local community. This is vitally important since “unity” is a foundational tenet in CommUNITY. We are creating a greater sense of community with each book publication.
Did this recognition help propel your subsequent projects or publishing goals?
This recognition helped to propel Planting People Growing Justice’s publishing goals. We now publish two anthologies annually. This provides us with the opportunity to engage with children and families throughout the year. Our PPGJ team visits classrooms and teaches about Rondo values and history. This provides our youth with a solid foundation for leadership development as they discover the power in their hands to make a difference in the world. These self-reflection and creative writing essays are published in our books.
Additionally, we have expanded our children’s book writing competitions. This provides an opportunity for more voices to shape the course of history. Now is the time to write for justice. “There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal,” Toni Morrison wisely stated. Recently, three local community leaders won our writing competitions. We published Sing by award-winning gospel artist Lanell Lightfoot. Sing serves as a testament to the power of song in building community. We also published Reverend Carl Walker’s new book, The Promise of Yet. It demonstrates the power of resilience and the importance of never giving up in the face of adversity. Stay Cool, Stay Safe, Stay Strong: Understanding and Calming Emotions, written by Isaiah Allen, provides the tools for building restorative communities. Each book serves as a source of motivation to learn, grow, and lead.
Do you have any advice for Minnesota authors currently navigating the independent publishing path?
I would encourage authors to 1) never stop writing, 2) build a writing community, and 3) develop a marketing plan. First, it is tempting to give up when you do not feel inspired, experience difficulty finding an agent, or lack the resources to continue your writing journey. This is the time to remind yourself that your voice matters. Continue writing each day, if only for a few minutes. This will help you to establish a habit of writing and unleash your creativity. I am an author of forty books. I have a demanding schedule with lectures and community service. I start each day with a five-minute reflection exercise. This provides me with the routine of writing and creating each day. Second, writing is a communal practice; therefore, take the time to build a writing community. It encourages collaboration with other authors, creatives, and disruptors. I started my writing journey with a group of Black women writers who met every Sunday afternoon. We shared drafts of our work and provided key feedback. With their support, I wrote my first book, The Lawyer as Leader: How to Plant People and Grow Justice. In addition, you need other supporters in your community, like editors, publicists, designers, and beta readers. They each play a key role in helping to create your masterpiece, marketing your book, and building your brand. Lastly, once your book is finished, you need a comprehensive marketing plan. You spent a significant amount of time developing your book. It is truly a labor of love. I just finished a book that took over a decade of research. I want the world to learn about the visionary leader who fought for racial equity, profiled in the book. This starts with a plan.
I am reminded of my “90/10” rule. 10 percent is writing the book, and the other 90 percent is developing a comprehensive marketing plan. This breakdown is a reflection on the importance of understanding how to reach your reading community. With my first few book publications, I filled every inch of my house with books from my 2.5-car garage to my basement and living room. I had the inventory but had no idea how to find my readers. I have since developed a marketing plan for every book. I first identify my potential readers and then leverage a multimedia approach to reach them, which includes social media, radio, television, blogs, podcasts, and newspapers.
