In the Mix: A Q&A and Cover Reveal of All Mixed Up with Raj Tawney

It’s tough, man. Tough putting a middle grade out there, when there are folks claiming the middle grade novel is dead (mmhmm). Tough to pretty much have to do all your own publicity. Tough to try to sell yourself to the public, sight unseen. It’s a harsh world out there.

But here at A Fuse #8 Production, there’s nothing I like more than a cover reveal paired with a nice little old-fashioned Q&A. And back in January, you might have seen this news item show up in the Publishers’ Weekly:

Paw Prints Publishing, the children’s book imprint launched by Baker & Taylor in 2022, will expand into the middle grade market this fall. The first book in the category to be published by the imprint will be All Mixed Up by Raj Tawney, which, the publisher said is “an adventurous and timely story of a young multiethnic American boy who forges a complex friendship with a Pakistani immigrant in the wake of 9/11.” The book is planned for October 28. Paw Prints is distributed to the trade by Baker & Taylor Publisher Services.

Today, we’re talking with Raj Tawney himself and getting an exclusive sneak peek at his novel’s cover before All Mixed Up releases on October 28th.

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Betsy Bird: Raj! Thanks so much for joining us today and answering my questions about ALL MIXED UP. First and foremost, tell us a little bit about where this book came from. What was your impetus for writing it?

Raj Tawney: Betsy! Thanks so much for featuring me. It’s a big honor. It’s hard to believe this book is actually going to exist in the world. When I was a young reader, my mom would take me to our local library and give me the freedom to select titles I was drawn to. I loved adventure series with strong and clever characters like Cam Jansen and The Boxcar Children, and stories that examined boyhood and the human condition like My Side of the Mountain. I was also a devoted fan of the TV show The Wonder Years and saw myself in the lead character Kevin Arnold. Although my generation and background were different from his, I related to the universal themes adolescence, identity, friendship, family, and questioning one’s place in a world they have no control over.

As an essayist and journalist, I’ve written countless nonfiction pieces about my multiracial identity and how I navigated through a beautiful yet confusing youth. As our melting pot population in America continues to evolve, I wondered what it would be like to write a story about a boy like me, having the same feelings and thoughts, experiencing some awkward adventures as I did as a kid in the ‘90s and early 2000s. Would other kids relate, mixed or otherwise? Could I tap into those same universal themes so any reader can see themselves? Also, could I infuse a little humor while discussing tough subjects? I really wanted to challenge myself to see if I could pull it off. It started out as a silly daydream many years back. Then, it evolved into a personal mission.

BB: The book was based on some of your personal life experiences, as I understand it. What elements of your life did you call upon when writing this story?

Raj: As a mixed person, it’s important to show the differences between homelife and school life, and how one’s cultures play significant roles in how they are seen or feel about themselves, or perhaps they are suppressed in order to present as more “American.” My dad is an immigrant from India, and my Puerto Rican and Italian American mom has immigrant roots on both of her parents’ sides. As a kid, I varied between being curious about my distinct heritage and my family’s many roots, to feeling totally ashamed and just wanting to assimilate. I’ve met a lot of people over the years, from all kinds of backgrounds, who have also struggled with their own sense of American identity. I’ve struggled with it and have also found ways to create humor from it. I felt an opportunity to examine myself through the lead character Kamal in hopes that others may relate to this inner dilemma.

I was also a self-conscious boy who lacked friends and was bullied often but certain friendships I made were vital toward helping me grow. Kamal also experiences these elements.

Nature is another big theme as I spent a lot of my time in the backyard, being creative with my hands and using my imagination with the things I’d find in the woods. Although TV, video games, and computers were already dominant when I was growing up, I had compassion for animals and a love for the outdoors early on in my life. I purposely went low-tech, hoping to encourage the value of the natural world.

BB: Was the book always intended to be for older readers or did you ever think about writing a younger version? And how much of the story changed between the initial draft and the final project?

Raj: I always had the goal of writing Middle Grade because the genre had such a powerful impact on my young, developing mind. I’ve always loved picture and chapter books, but I wanted to dig deeper and cover challenging issues for a slightly more mature audience.

The draft has continued to evolve into something I could have never imagined when I first started. Originally, when I worked with editor and friend Beneé Knauer, she encouraged me not to hold back on any tough subject matter, like cultural identity and immigration. Then, when I signed with Paw Prints Publishing/Baker & Taylor, director Bobbie Bensur and editor Saanya Kanwar gave me the strength to further flesh out difficult storylines and develop these nuanced characters. Their support, along with my wife Michelle who’d talk with me for hours about the story and the real life issues surrounding it, helped me find Kamal’s voice and in turn, my own voice.

BB: Was there anything you wanted to include in the book and just couldn’t? Anything you had to cut?

Raj: Honestly, I don’t feel I held back. There are some difficult conversations being had in this story and it was important to let them flow naturally and honestly. That being said, I have a funny bone and love finding humor in awkward or inappropriate moments. Humor plays an important role. The only thing I may have cut over time are some direct political jabs that just felt unnecessary to the story.

BB: Tell me a little bit about your book jacket. I know it was created by Daniela Alarcon. What was your reaction on seeing it for the first time? Do you think it’s a good reflection of the book itself?

Raj: It was an emotional experience I wasn’t expecting. I knew the cover was going to be special based on what I’d seen of Daniela’s beautiful work but I wasn’t prepared for how overwhelmed I’d feel when Bobbie and Saanya finally showed it to me. I was looking at a reflection of my younger self. Literally! That’s me! It was surreal. I’ve never seen someone like me in a book before. I was told that Daniela related to the story on some level (I don’t know all of the details) and that she felt passionate about this project. I’m grateful my words inspired her illustration. Amanda Bartlett, who designed the cover, totally got it too and the final result is something that gives me chills each time I gaze at it. I’m fortunate for the talented people I’ve gotten to work with on this book. 

I hope young readers will see themselves in this story, no matter the background, and relate to Kamal’s experience.

BB: Finally, what do you have coming out next? What else have you been working on?

Raj: I’m not sure what’s coming out next. I’m giving my all to this book. I want it so badly to find an audience and make a positive impact on young readers. I’m excited to visit schools and libraries, and speak to students directly about it. I’m going to push this book as far as I can and see where it takes me, hopefully creating meaningful moments along the way. I’d certainly love to keep writing more Middle Grade. I love this genre.

Aside from All Mixed Up, my first book, Colorful Palate: A Flavorful Journey Through a Mixed American Experience, a memoir, was released last fall to mostly positive reviews and is still acquiring new readers everyday. It’s even finding its way into university programs, which boggles my mind as I wasn’t a strong student myself in my teens and twenties. But passion and hard work has really taken me far. I’m so proud to have my words live on shelves. I may sound naive but I’m a strong believer that books can change the world. I hope my work contributes toward supporting that belief.

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And now, folks of all ages, here is that cover:

Big thanks to Raj for responding to my questions. You’ll be able to see All Mixed Up for yourself when it rolls out October 28th. Meanwhile, Raj will be at PLA next week, signing giclée prints of the cover in Baker & Taylor’s booth (#2114) from 4:15-5:00 PM on Wednesday, April 3rd. Stop by and be sure to see him then!

Filed under: Cover Reveal, Interviews