Author Q&A with Tamika Burgess: Sincerely Sicily centers the story of a Black Panamanian middle schooler

In her new middle-grade fiction book, Burgess wrote the story she needed and would have loved to read as a child

Born to parents who migrated from Panamá, Tamika Burgess (Ta-mee-Ka Bur-jess) has always been interested in sharing stories about her Black Latina identity. For years she published a newsletter called Es Mi Cultura where she highlighted Black Latinas who proudly acknowledge their African ancestry while staying true to their Latina culture. (I was a subscriber and really enjoyed it – there’s still a huge online archive so check it out if you’re looking for more stories like that!)

That’s why her debut novel, Sincerely Sicily, written for readers between the ages of 8 and 12, is so special to Tamika. The characters are loosely based on her own experiences growing up, so the story covers topics like Black Latinidad, colorism and racism, and stars Black Latino characters that she has always felt are necessary for children to see.

In a review by Publishers Weekly, Sincerely Sicily is described as “Timely and refreshing” and Burgess as an author is celebrated because she “empathetically tackles colorism and highlights the courage it takes to confront the hurtful words of strangers and loved ones alike.”

The Latinx Collective caught up with Tamika to talk about her new book - which just hit bookstores on January 3rd!- her favorite authors and books of the year, what her next book will be about, her writing process and routine, and more. 

As of January 3rd, you can purchase a copy of the novel here.

You won your elementary school’s Young Writers Conference for 3 years straight. Do you remember what kind of stories you were writing about back then? 

Back then, all my stories were about bugs and insects. I remember one of them was called, The Angry Ladybug. The story was about all the ladybug’s friends and how they upset her.

What was the moment in your life that made you want to write about your Afro-Panamanian / Afro-Latina identity?

After reading a couple of books that featured characters of Latinx or Afro-Latinx culture, I realized I wasn’t reading anything specific to my Panamanian background. So I created my own lane and figured some readers would want to read about Panamanian culture and readers who would be able to relate first-hand and take joy in seeing their culture displayed in fiction. 

What was it about reading R.J. Palacio’s Wonder that captivated you so much? And how do you think that has impacted how you’ve written your own middle-grade book?

Wonder was so wonderfully written and told such an incredible story that it made me look internally at how I see things and view the world. That is what specifically made me feel empowered to write a story that would connect with readers and have them reflect on their behavior and how they view/treat others.

What is the #1 thing you tell people about Panamanian culture that they find surprising? 

Me being Black and of Panamanian descent is something people still find surprising. This is why I needed to include Black Panamanian history within Sincerely Sicily. So that as the main character, Sicily, learns, so can readers. 

Children have to face colorism and racism at an early age from both strangers and loved ones when they aren’t equipped for it. What tools or advice would you recommend for the parents or caretakers of these children? 

I think communication is best. Teaching children how to deal with colorism and racism is just as important as making sure they know what it is. Mediums such as books, movies, and TV can be used as dialogue starters/examples.

Which characters in the book are inspired by your life? 

Sincerely Sicily is loosely based on my experiences growing up and came out of a need for representation and understanding. As a child, I didn’t fully comprehend how to explain my Black Panamanian background when people asked, “What are you?” Being asked that question, coupled with the fact that I was growing up in a predominantly white community as a Black Latina, I often felt out of place. My peers were all the same, and not only was I of a different race, but my culture was entirely out of their understanding.

I always wished for a point of reference, someone I could point to and say, “I’m just like them.” But characters in books, movies, and TV shows didn’t look like me, nor did their experiences resemble mine. So I wrote the book I needed and would have loved to read as a child.

What were some of your favorite new adult and children’s books of 2022 so far?

What will your next book be about? Do you have any themes you want to explore or dig deeper into? 

My next middle-grade novel features a Panamanian boy. I am still in the early stages of outlining and figuring out themes the book will explore. But just as with Sincerely Sicily, readers can expect Panamanian culture and historical elements. 

What advice can you give to other Afro-Latinx writers and authors around how you went about getting your book idea out there and now successfully published?

My suggestion is to just write. Write the story you feel needs to be told. Then get the manuscript as polished as possible so that when you query agents, they can focus on your story’s content and themes rather than your writing skills.

Also, when looking for an agent, look for someone passionate about stories that align with what you have written. The last thing you want is an agent or editor who doesn’t understand or won’t champion your story. 

What helps you in your writing process? Do you have a ritual? 

Not really a ritual, but I have to be organized. I spend a lot of time thinking about what I want to happen, the story's purpose and theme, and most importantly, why I want to tell the story in writing.

Then I go into outline mode. I outline major plot points, then outline a couple of chapters, then start writing the first Act. Then I go through the same outlining process for Acts 2 and 3. Then I start writing.

Once I have a rough draft, I let it rest for a few weeks, then start the revision process. The main thing that helps me is remaining organized throughout the whole process.

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