Alana

Tyson

Award-Winning Storyteller

Children’s Author

Travels from: Washington, DC

“With creativity and compassion…Alana Tyson’s thoughtful ode to the flag, and the way African American history is woven into every stitch of it, opens the door to deeper conversations about patriotism, protest and freedom.” — The Virginian-Pilot

Alana Tyson is an award-winning storyteller, author, and retired Intelligence Officer. She’s also a mom, actress, journalist, and native New Yorker. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY Alana always had a passion for reading and writing. She earned two degrees in mass media, was a freelance writer for a NY-based business publication, and a production assistant at Fox 5 News. From journalism to a 22-year career in the secretive world of intelligence – neither industry allowed for the freedom and creativity she sought in her storytelling. Inspired by her two school-aged sons, Alana began writing for children and never looked back. Her debut picture book, My Red, White and Blue was a 2024 finalist for the Jane Addams Peace Children’s Book Award, was selected as a Michigan MiSelf In Books 2023 list member, and was chosen by the Black Caucus American Library Association’s Best of the Best picture books in 2023. Alana’s forthcoming picture book, Devin’s Gift shows her range as an author, as she seamlessly tackles topics as profound as patriotism in the Black community and as lighthearted as friendship.

Alana enjoys writing about unsung heroes and creating opportunities for young readers to see themselves, and the experiences of others, in her stories. No topic is off-limits for her picture books, because like children, Alana finds inspiration everywhere. She’s a lover of organized chaos and writing books that showcase the simple joys of childhood.

Alana's Featured Titles

The Trenches: Surviving the Literary Agent Search & Best Practices

The topic every writer & author needs to hear but hates to think about. Alana, a three time published author (her first book was not a children’s book) who’s had three literary agents, shares personal anecdotes and best practices for finding not just an agent, but the RIGHT agent, keeping one, and letting one go if you have to. This is a positive and affirming session for agented and unagented literary creatives, published or unpublished. This session is ideal for conferences, workshops, libraries, and for anyone seeking to turn their passion for writing into a business.

Read-A-Loud / Q&A / Book Talk

Ideal for schools, libraries, and bookstores, Alana brings her stories direct to you. The session includes a read-a-loud of the chosen book, a Q&A about the themes surrounding the book, and discussion about the process of the creation of the story, how the publishing business works, and what it’s like being an author and mom. This talk can be tailored for grades K-8th (to include interactive one-sheets for younger audiences), but is also perfect for parents, avid readers, librarians, teachers, students, and anyone curious about becoming an author.

The Prologue: Finding Your Creative Spark While Working 9-5

While working full-time as an Intelligence Officer, and raising two school aged boys, Alana broke into the literary business with nothing more than a dream and a notebook full of ideas. Over a ten+ year span she was met with rejection, after rejection, after rejection. Then in 2023, she released her debut picture book, My Red, White, and Blue, published by Philomel, an imprint of Penguin Random House. How’d she do it? Attend this session to find out – and hear all the good, the bad, and sometimes ugly (ok not really, but you know what I mean) details of how she remained sane in a world where a 9-5 pays the bills but creativity is bursting at the seams. This session is ideal for industry conferences, book festivals, empowerment workshops, working mom groups, book clubs, entrepreneur events, and any other events focusing on affirming creative growth and work/life balance.

The ABCs of Children's Publishing

In this session, Alana shares all the things she wishes she’d known coming into the industry. She provides practical tips, breaks down terminology, and shares insider knowledge on how traditional publishing works, the important players in the industry, and pitfalls to avoid. Session can be tailored to include manuscript consultations for an additional fee. Ideal for conferences, workshops, and libraries.

“Essential…This overview of Black history in America is an indispensable new classroom conversation-starter.” — We Are Teachers

“Emphasizes the theme that everyone in the country has an important voice and the ability to share it…Accessible…Sure to inspire children and readers of all ages to ask questions and prompt insightful discussion…Highly recommended.” — School Library Journal

“Ladd’s bold, painterly illustrations…illuminate and expand the ideas in the text…Effective, accessible.” — Kirkus

“My Red, White, and Blue personalizes the American flag’s meaning for young readers…Illustrated by the vivid drawings of London Ladd in a rhyming exploration that invites discussion, celebration, and debate.” — Midwest Book Review

African American Literature Book Club

Read Together to Support Early Literacy

Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators

Devins Gift Academic Onesheet

My Red White Blue Academic Onesheet

Honors, Awards & Recognition

My Red, White and Blue:
-Black Caucus American Library Association Best of the Best Picture Books 2023
-Jane Addams Children’s Book Peace Award Finalist 2024
-NCSS-CBC 2024 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
-Michigan 2023 “MISelf in Books Masterlist” Selection
-Featured in Society of Illustrators Original Art Show
-Bank Street’s Best Children’s Books
-ALA Notable Children’s Books
-New York Public Library (NYPL) Children’s Book Recommendations

Media clips

Black Children’s Books and Authors | Debut You 2023: Alana Tyson: My Red, White, and Blue

Ebony | NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK EXPLORES EMOTIONS BLACK KIDS FACE AROUND THEIR IDENTITY IN AMERICA

Reading With Your Kids Podcast | My Red, White And Blue

PB Rising Stars | Past Mentors

African American Literature Book Club | Important Black Books Coming Out in 2023

Media Kit

By clicking the link below you will be directed to a Google Docs Folder
where you can download author photos and cover images.