Sonja Thomas, a silly introvert ruled by coffee and cats, writes stories for readers of all ages often featuring Black girls doing extraordinary things. Her debut novel, Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence, is an Oregon Book Award finalist, an Oregon Spirit Book Award Honor recipient, a Washington State Book Award finalist, and a Bank Street Best Children’s Book selection. She’s also a contributing author for Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Real-Life Tales of Black Girl Magic. Her latest middle grade novel Olive Blackwood Takes Action! is out now.
The Journey: My Path to Publishing
Growing up, I always wanted to be someone creative: a cartoonist, a photographer, a back-up singer like Wendy and Lisa from Prince’s Revolution. Most of all, I dreamed of being a writer. But when I went to college I was afraid. So, I became an accountant instead. Eventually, I rediscovered my love of writing. I took classes, read books, and wrote a lot. After many, many rejections, I finally sold my first short story, followed by three more. However, I still felt that my work wasn’t “good enough.” Thankfully, I got a much needed push to keep going. I received the 2016 Oregon Literary Fellowship for Young Readers for an early version of what would soon be my debut novel.
The Back Story: How I Got “The Deal” 
The idea for SIR FIG NEWTON AND THE SCIENCE OF PERSISTENCE was from real life. My cat Whiskey was diagnosed with diabetes. A co-worker had shared with his young son, who has Type I diabetes, that my cat was receiving insulin shots. His son was so excited, that he’d said, “If a cat can get insulin shots, then so can I!” That’s when I knew I had to write Whiskey’s story.
At first, I tried to write it as a picture book, but it never quite worked. Years later, I realized the story needed to be a middle grade novel. That night, I wrote several scenes that are still in the book today. After many revisions, I queried for an agent—a place I’d unsuccessfully been before with a young adult manuscript. I was signed in less than two weeks! After rewriting the entire novel to change the 90’s setting to present day, we went on submission. In less than a month, my debut novel was sold.
The Inspiration: Who / What Inspired Me
So many things inspire me: movies, music, conversations, walking, traveling somewhere new, from South Africa to Iceland. But books that feed my soul inspire me to keep writing. My favorite authors growing up were Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary. As an adult reading to learn how to write, the list of authors is endless. But I must mention some notable ones who showed me to be true to my own voice and that everyone deserves to see themselves navigating growing up, falling in love, slaying the dragon, and celebrating joy. Jacqueline Woodson, Dia Reeves, Sundee T. Frazier, Kekla Magoon, Nnedi Okorafor, Tracey Baptiste, Renée Watson, Mariama J. Lockington, and Vashti Harrison.
The Process: How I Work
My writing process is cyclical, dotted with spurts and droughts. First, it races forward when an idea hits. With OLIVE BLACKWOOD TAKES ACTION! it started with an anxious girl who would find her voice through advocacy.
Then I daydream, brainstorm, research, and free-write by hand. Olive’s story really came together once I learned that in Oregon beavers are defined as predatory animals. So, it’s legal to “take”—aka “kill” beavers when they’re causing damage. Even though beaver dams have a huge impact on the environment. Like creating new habitats, decreasing erosion, and helping ease wildfires. All of which reduces the impact of climate change.
Even after completing a synopsis, once I near the dreaded middle my words slog uphill until—BAM! I’m stuck. I review my many spreadsheets tracking scenes, story beats, and character arcs. After talking shop with a friend, words trickle and somehow start flowing as I soar towards the climax and wrap up a somewhat clean draft.
Eager to get feedback, I send it to beta readers, then dread what to do with it once received. I put it aside, letting their input simmer. Eventually, the revisions chug along during draft number three, five, nine until FINALLY, I’m jumping for joy when the story’s complete!
The Buzz: Reviews and Media Links
SIR FIG NEWTON AND THE SCIENCE OF PERSISTENCE
“[Sonja] Thomas’ debut will pull at readers’ heartstrings. A noteworthy debut.” – Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Middle grade readers looking for realistic stories with engaging protagonists will enjoy meeting Mira, a girl whose passion for science gives her a sense of purpose and the tools to solve problems.” – School Library Journal
“One of the things that is guaranteed to draw me to a book is when there is an intelligent Black Girl at its center . . . Mira let everyone know why she’s magic throughout the story.” – Bookish Girl Magic, Book Reviewer
OLIVE BLACKWOOD TAKES ACTION!
“Two thumbs up for this necessary novel about anxiety and self-advocacy.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Olive is a wonderfully winning lead . . . it’s a thrill to watch Olive learn to speak up for herself and others. A stirring story that will give any film aficionado a boost of confidence and creativity.” – Booklist
Visit Sonja Thomas:
- Website: https://bysonjathomas.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bysonjathomas/
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bysonjathomas.bsky.social
I always love to hear about another writer’s process. And I’m looking forward to digging into Olive Blackwood! Ms. Thomas creates such vivid characters.