We had the good fortune of connecting with Arian T. Moore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Arian, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
By day I am a college professor. By night, when the house is all quiet, I write. I remember when my fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Fisher told me I wrote well, I dove into writing poetry and short stories. College, grad school, and then my career in the academic realm have led me to more research-based writing, but there’s such beauty in writing children’s stories, it was only a matter of time before I took on kids’ literature.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career as a professor for over a decade has been very rewarding. Inspiring the next generation and equipping them with knowledge and skills to be successful in life is my life’s work.

As far as my books, I am most proud of the opportunity to write and share books that represent African American families. My first children’s book, “Fairy Cornbread,” was written for my daughter. It was her birthday and I wanted to buy her a book about a fairy. At the time, I was unable to find a book about a fairy that looked like her, with brown skin. So I wrote her a story and read it to her as a birthday present. The book was a hit with family and I was inspired to share it with the world. Since then, I’ve written three more children’s books.

My latest release, “Ballet Beignet” was probably the most challenging book so far. I think there will be challenges along the way as we attain our goals. The best response is to persevere; see no’s as redirection not failure, and remember to keep the destination in mind, not the route taken.

Tell us about Atlanta?
As an Atlanta native, I grew up observing the vision that mayors like Maynard Jackson, Andy Young and Bill Campbell had for Atlanta. We were so excited when the Olympics came. Now, you can’t turn on the TV without seeing the city skyline. To see Atlanta now is just amazing!

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?
There are so many places to visit in Atlanta, if you include the metro area (Cobb, Gwinnett, etc.), the list would be neverending. One of my favorite places to visit is Centennial Park. It just reminds me of ‘Old Atlanta.’ Another awesome spot is Ponce City Market. There’s tons of food and specialty shops, and you can take a stroll on the Belt Line while you’re there. And if you have a sweet tooth, you have to visit The Sugar Factory. The skillet cookie is what dreams are made of.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would dedicate this shoutout to the educators in my life. I come from a long line of educators, from my mom to my grandmother, my great-grandmother, and my aunts. Education is the catalyst for my love for writing.

My fondest memories of my journey through Atlanta Public Schools were writing stories, poems, and papers, submitting them, and getting feedback from my teachers. With that said, I would also like to dedicate this shoutout to the teachers who encouraged me to continue writing. You inspired my imagination and kept my fingers to the paper.

Website: www.moorekidslit.com

Instagram: @drariantmoore

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.