J. ELLE is a prolific Black author and advocate for marginalized voices in both publishing and her community. Her debut novel, Wings of Ebony, a YA fantasy about a Black girl from a poor neighborhood who learns she’s magical, sold in a pre-empt and is a lead title with Simon & Schuster, out February 23, 2021. Elle also sold rights, at auction, to Park Row Magic Academy, an MG inner-city magic school series about a Black girl who fights to save her school with baking; also a lead title on Bloomsbury’s 2022 list.
From growing up poor to being a first-generation college student, Jess’s passion for empowering others dates back to her first career in education, teaching tweens and teens from traditionally underserved areas to fight for their dreams.
Elle has worked as an Editorial Intern at P.S. Literary Agency and Gelfman / ICM Partners, an agency Developmental Editor, a mentor for Pitchwars and Author Mentor Match R6 and R7. She is the founder and co-host of #MondayMixer, a Twitter chat to engage writers on the platform. In her spare time, you’ll find her cooking up some dish true to her Texas/Louisiana roots and loving on her three littles.
Agent:
Natalie Lakosil
Bradford Literary
