‘A Wrinkle in Time’ appreciation comes full circle for author Karuna Riazi
Author Karuna Riazi has been a fan of Madeleine L’Engle since she was an 8-year-old reading A Wrinkle in Time. That love for Wrinkle and its protagonist, Meg Murry, brings Karuna to the first Walking on Water Conference this fall (yay!). She’s part of the stellar panel of We Need Diverse Books authors who’ll be talking about a new generation of Meg Murrys: What Fantasy & Speculative Fiction Inspire. We’re so geeked to feature her today on the blog!
Welcome, Karuna Riazi.
What excites you about the Madeleine L’Engle Conference?
I love how being invited — and honored as a guest! — at this conference makes me feel like my writing and reading life has come full circle. I first read A Wrinkle in Time when I was eight, as my next door neighbor and long time family friend saw me browsing her bookshelves for something new. That prompted her husband — a middle school science teacher — to offer me his own copy (with the caveat that it needed to be returned, which it was … quite reluctantly) with the assurance that “I would enjoy it.”
I did, and revisited it many times after that, along with Ms. L’Engle’s other wonderful titles. Now — probably to the disbelief of my eight year old self — I get to discuss it and how I am carrying on her legacy (shivers) at the conference!
Do you have a Madeleine story/quote/moment that has inspired you?
“You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.” This quote has carried me through a lot of moments in which my love of writing for children has been demeaned, dismissed or otherwise brushed aside as “not serious craft.”
In what ways does a legacy like Madeleine’s inspire the way you create art for a new generation?
When I look at Madeleine, who was a woman of faith and a woman author, I feel so deeply that I can be who she was and pass on the gift that she gave me. I can represent those communities, along with the other marginalized communities I inhabit, and stir people to wonder and to love and to unity with my words, and encourage kids to look within themselves and see the spark of magic and bravery and strength that only they have.
What are you working on now?
I am working on a great many things, as always: some YA-shaped things and some middle-grade sparks of possibility. But, if readers are searching for something more from me besides The Gauntlet, its companion The Battle, releases on August 27 from Simon and Schuster/Salaam Reads!
Thanks, Karuna — and congrats on the new release!
Before I wrap up today’s party, I’ve got two friendly reminders:
- Registration prices for the Walking on Water Conference increase after September 15 (yes, we extended it. If you are like us, our thoughts won’t fully turn to Fall until after Labor Day)! Get yourself signed up here.
- Catch up with the other We Need Diverse Books authors who’ll be part of the Walking on Water Conference: Sayantani DasGupta, Heidi Heilig, and moderator Caroline Richmond.
-Erin F. Wasinger, for MadeleineLEngle.com.
