Meet Joëlle Retener | Children’s author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joëlle Retener and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joëlle, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Growing up, I didn’t have artistic aspirations. In fact, I always thought that my brain just wasn’t wired for art. Ultimately, my passion for writing started after becoming a parent. I loved sharing literature with my children but found myself increasingly frustrated by the lack of diversity in picture books at the time. As a child, I rarely found books centering kids like me so it was imperative that my children have a different experience. I wanted them to feel seen and affirmed by the stories that they read. I also wanted them to have stories depicting queer multicultural families like ours. Since these books didn’t exist, I decided to take a stab at writing them myself. What I wasn’t prepared for was the healing that ensued. My art has allowed me to tap into my authentic voice and to truly embrace myself fully. As I see it art=freedom. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a Black Kreyol, non-binary, disabled, afrofuturist, creative, my art is activism. It’s an opportunity for me to question the status quo while inviting my readers to reimagine outdated narratives about historically underserved communities. My work is meant to uplift, empower and embolden my audience to create a world where our collective liberation is a reality. While I write about universal themes, such as love, change, and belonging, ultimately, my stories were written for readers who share my lived experiences. Through these books–these love letters, I hope to remind Black, trans/gender expansive, disabled readers that they are amazing and powerful. At a time when these communities are being actively targeted, I feel honored that I get to use my art to resist.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m a nature enthusiast through and through, so I would nix the drinks in favor of a road trip to Southern Maryland for some camping and outdoor fun. Our days would be spent lounging by the beach, hiking, kayaking and searching for shark teeth. In a perfect world, our meals would include dim sum from Ping Pong in DC and a truckload of glazed donuts from B-Donuts in Waldorf, MD.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I stand on the shoulders of trailblazing Black, queer, creatives and activists without whom my success wouldn’t be possible. Their commitment to liberation is what inspires me to continue writing, especially during these difficult times. My work is and will always be for and thanks these ancestors, those connected through blood (Leonie Cauvin, Altagrace Colimon, Antoine Colimon, Claudette Wooley, Pière Wooley, André Hubert), and those chosen (belle hooks, Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, Octavia Butler, Marsha P. Johnson, Pauli Murray and Bayard Rustin).

Of course, I also want to recognize my family, not only are they my “why” but they are my biggest cheerleaders and I wouldn’t be where I am at today without them in my corner.

Finally, I have to shout out my phenomenal agent, James McGowan. He’s the real deal and I am so grateful for his support.

Website: https://www.joelleretener.com

Other: Bluesky: joelleretener.bsky.social

Image Credits
N. Felisilda