Self-Published Author’s Tale Focuses on Diversity and Daughter-Dad Relationships

While the TV and Internet is ablaze with images of protests and demonstrators denouncing racism and lack of minority inclusion, the literary arena is often left out of the dialogue. Jo Gates Allen, a self-published author of “The Chronicles of Princea and Princess Poppa,” noticed the seemingly lack of diversity among children’s books and limited opportunities for writers of colors.

“I wanted to make my writing official,” Jo said. “But traditional publishing [is] very slow about picking up books of diversity with children of color. There is a need for more books of diversity featuring children of color. Their stories and their lives are just as interesting and need to be shared!”

A life-long lover of books, Jo has been writing for around 30 years because she always felt that she had a story to tell, in fact, she had “a vault to tell.”

Her most current project, “The Chronicles of Princea and Princess Poppa,” chronicles the close bond between a daughter and father of color.

“A charming tale where a little girl and her dad teams up in a secret world as super heroes to rescue all little girls in distress. Daily, working as a team till the day arrives where Princea, a goody-goody, encounters a problem at school where she is in need of a rescue. And guess who comes in the most superest form ever? None other than Princess Poppa,” Jo described.

Even though it’s a fictional book, the story is actually based off the real-life relationship between her twin daughters and their father and their uniquely strong bond.

“My daughters, twins, both daddy’s girls, love everything pink and princessy, even now at 11.  Their Dad does whatever they ask, even if it means donning a tiara. They invented this day called Sparkly Day with dad, on which they would spend special time with him where they would give him a makeover, sparkles, glitter, nail polish, and crown him in the end and then tell him he looks like a princess, which meant he was pretty and much loved. He was the first Princess Poppa in the real. In their eyes, he was a good thing. He just loved seeing them smile and felt it was something he was doing that made them happy. So I invented a little girl and I love the name Princea,” Jo recounted.

Since this book focuses on fathers and daughters, it’s no surprise that Jo’s own father played a major role in crafting this story, serving as a private tribute to her father.

“I was very close to my Dad. He was strong and could do anything and rescue you from any peril. He was my hero. He was warm, loving, protective and very funny. There were 10 of us, 9 girls, we each felt the same. He was old school; discipline was firm, yet loving, never harsh. He was wise enough to spend time with us collectively and individually. He was great with my mother, when my sisters and I reminisce about him we laugh and cry.”

By sharing her story, Jo helps to dispel some of the myths out there about black families in particular.

“Some people of society think that children of color don’t come from two parent homes and warm, loving environments, but the truth is some do just like the rest. Our lives and families are no different from any other human family regardless of the cultural background.”

In a culture where fathers are not always valued, Jo has a unique perspective on the term “daddy’s girl.”

“…something wonderful, fathers don’t get enough credit for all they do. I’m a Daddy’s girl, although my mother was just as wonderful. She appreciated him, too, for the way he loved us. Just as I love my husband for the way he loves our children, I feel blessed to have given my children a dad like the one I had.”

Jo’s inspiration for this book is to help bring families together by giving readers “a warm, loving, closeness kinda feeling.” As a children’s book writer, Jo’s own family inspires her passion for writing.

“My mother always felt I had a way with words and thoughts, writing or poetry and my children were always my attentive listeners.”

Jo wants readers to learn how to celebrate the closeness of family and remind people of the benefits of being part of a loving family.

As a seasoned writer, Jo’s advice to a young girl of color who is looking to become a writer is to pursue it and never give up.

“Doing so, you will leave your own legacy behind to forever share. There is a strong need for more people of color to share their voices and imaginations with the world, and the world needs to hear it. Share your thoughts and vision, so don’t hold back. If I could do anything to help, let me know,” she enthusiastically shared.

Never one to rest on her laurels, Jo is working on several upcoming projects.

“I’m presently working on novel; hopefully soon to be published I can call: “Finessing the Tyrannicide.” I also have a motivational blog www.justniftyafterfifty.blogspot.com. Then of course, there is more to come from the “Princea Chronicles” and other children’s stories as well. I plan to continue each of these.”