Tomi Adeyemi On Her Process Behind Debut Novel ‘Children Of Blood And Bone’

Image: HENRY HOLT AND CO

Within the last few years, Nigerian-American author Tomi Adeyemi has had quite the success. Last March, Adeyemi earned a seven-figure book deal for her Children of Blood and Bone trilogy, and the film adaption is currently in development at Fox Studios, according to Deadline. Earlier this month, the book was released, and it’s safe to say that the debut fantasy novel is exceeding expectations.

Children of Blood and Bone centers around Zélie Adebola, our brave-hearted protagonist who goes on the ultimate quest to return magic to her people of Orïsha. Before a dictatorial king outlawed magic, Orïsha was home to the maji – people with supernatural powers, gifted to them by gods. With the help of runaway princess Amari, Zélie embarks on a turbulent journey that spans across the land of Orïsha. In an interview with Cosmopolitan, Tomi discussed her writing process, the inspiration behind the novel, and what’s next on the horizon.

Although the novel is fantasy, Adeyemi revealed that certain aspects were inspired by real-life events. On one hand, Children of Blood and Bone highlights beautiful portrayals of the African race, as seen through the world of Orïsha. On the other, the novel captures the pain and helplessness that Adeyemi felt from the rising rate of police brutality within our country. “It was a very painful process,” she said. Thus, there are pages that read as diary entries, desperately searching for answers about the fragile state of our nation.

As a perfectionist, Adeyemi is her own worst critic. “I really killed myself for this book,” she told Cosmopolitan. “There were lots of points where my body gave out on me. The book is like 140,000 words, and I needed all 140,000 of those words to be perfect.” A lot of the pressure stemmed from being a black woman, and understanding her responsibility as a positive role model for other black children. “It’s going to be their first time seeing themselves as a hero in a big way,” she exclaimed. “It was going be like their Black Panther.”

When she first began writing, Adeyemi would often conform to societal standards by creating stories with white or biracial protagonists, because she had “subconsciously internalized that those were the only people who got to be in stories, and those were the only people who got to have magical adventures.” Today, representation is vital for Adeyemi. She wants the youth to know they are beautiful, powerful, and that they can make a difference. By ensuring that more versatile stories are told with people of color at the forefront, Adeyemi is sending an essential message about representation to children around the world.

Currently, the 24-year-old author is wrapping up on the first draft for book two of the trilogy. As for the Children of Blood and Bone film, it remains in early production stages with no official cast. However, Adeyemi says her “heart would explode” if Idris Elba was King Saran. She has Tessa Thompson or Zendaya in mind for Amari; and for Tzain, there’s Michael B. Jordan or John Boyega. Ideally, Adeyami wants there to be multiple versions of the film, starring everyone she loves. How wonderful would that be?

Tomi Adeyami’s Children of Blood and Bone is out now. To learn more about the book, film, and author, please visit Adeyami’s website.