Writuals x Dr. Ariel Sylvester

By Jasminum McMullen

From shaping young minds as a teacher in Chicago Public Schools to authoring 12 books across seven genres and founding Pretty Nerd Publishing, Dr. Ariel Sylvester is a creative force who seamlessly blends education, artistry, and entrepreneurship. In this interview, she discusses her writing rituals, the role of faith in her journey, and how lived experiences fuel the authenticity and depth of her storytelling.

CLHOF: What are your “writuals,” and how have they evolved?

Dr. Sylvester: For my “writuals,” I take inspiration from my life and the lives of those around me. I am also a qualitative researcher, so even in conducting research and doing non-fiction writing I like hearing the stories of people and taking inspiration from their stories. I like to say that I hold on to other people’s lived experiences. Writing is a way for me to expel those experiences, understand them, and create a story around what I would like to happen or how I would love to fix the lived experiences of others. Writing is freeing and powerful. There is power in story-telling, and story-telling is freeing. Another “writual” of mine is listening to Gospel music. Sometimes, I also write ideas down on my phone in a Google Doc whenever inspiration hits me. I’m a Christian and incorporate my beliefs in my work, and as I work, I pray that whoever reads the book is positively inspired. I used to be able to write even when there was a lot of noise around me, but that has evolved over time. Now, I like to write in a quiet place without distractions. Finally, I talk to my mom about all of the ideas in my head, and she encourages me and supports me in my writing journey.

CLHOF: If you could have coffee with any Chicago author, past or present, who would it be and why? How has their work or legacy influenced your writing?

Dr. Sylvester: A Black author that has influenced my writing for my graphic novel series is Dr. Eve Ewing. Dr. Ewing being the first Black female writer for Marvel and her character Ri Ri Williams, influenced me to come up with my own Black Superhero family and graphic novel series, “The Splendid Saba Saga.” I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Ewing during two of my doctoral courses a couple years back. She spoke about her story of being a Black female growing up in Chicago and being an educator. There were many similarities, and seeing what she had accomplished helped me to see what I could accomplish.

CLHOF: Chicago is a city known for its activism and social consciousness. How, if at all, do these elements of civic engagement and social justice find their way into your writing rituals or themes? Do you feel a duty to reflect or challenge the city’s socio-political landscape in your work?

Dr. Sylvester: I’ve written 12 books in 7 different genres. 9 of those books take place in Chicago. I don’t believe you can write about Chicago, whether fiction or nonfiction, without integrating elements of social justice. As a Black female writer, I do feel that it is a duty to reflect, possibly challenge, and spark a conversation about our socio-political landscape in a way that is authentic, inspiring, and intellectual. These experiences find their way into my writing because they are the lived experiences of myself and others. In telling the lived experiences of the Black females in my family in "Ebony Women Clothed in Scarlet," or the lived experiences of a Black superhero family in "The Splendid Saba Saga," or the lived experiences of a Black female and male detective duo in "Sweet Cane," you must speak to the intersectional identities of being Black and being an American citizen while also being an activist and social justice advocate. It’s a very complex experience and identity. As I develop my characters in a story, I want to speak to this complex experience and identity but do it in a more nuanced way.

CLHOF: Name a movie shot in Chicago that best describes your writing style.

Dr. Sylvester: This is a classic and I’m choosing it not for the reasons we all know it for, but "Home Alone." Although you don’t get to see our beautiful city, which has won best city for 8 years, you see the character development of Kevin McCallister played by Macaulay Culkin. His growth as a character is what stands out to me watching this movie, how a young child develops independence, determination, bravery, and grit. Although it’s a comedic Christmas classic, I don’t think we give the character Kevin the applause he deserves for being so courageous. I try to capture that same character growth and development in my writing. I want my characters to be a positive inspiration and connection of tragedy and triumph for any reader. 

CLHOF: What advice would you give someone who wants to write and publish in the city?

Dr. Sylvester: I have the experience of being a self-published author and having my own publishing business, Pretty Nerd Publishing. It has taken a lot of networking, patience, persistence, learning, and money to be a self-published author and get your books out there. There will be people who tell you no, but you must persist and find the people who will tell you yes. You have to connect with other writers, authors, and publishers. Chicago is a great city with a lot to offer. We are fortunate to have things like our Literary Hall of Fame, the Writer’s Museum, Printer’s Row Lit Fest, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Public Library, well-known universities and colleges, Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo, and so much more. So, there are many different networks that you can be a part of, and you don’t have to be an author in isolation. You also need to learn the legal steps to take if you’re going to be a self-published author. A book I recommend is The Self-Publisher's Legal Handbook. It was a great resource for me as I was getting started. Also, being a writer doesn’t always mean you’re going to be the next J.K. Rowling. So it helps to do it on the side while still working a full-time job. You may have to spend money from your full-time job in order to get started, but be patient. Anything worth having is worth putting the hard work in for.

Dr. Ariel Sylvester is the sole proprietor of Pretty Nerd Publishing and author of 12 books written in 7 different genres. Prior to becoming an author and publisher, she was a public school teacher in Chicago, Illinois, where she was born and raised.  She is currently a mentor, researcher, advisor, and instructor for early childhood education at DePaul University in Chicago. She also owns and operates an educational consulting business for Pre-K - 2nd grade teachers, Dr. Ariel Sylvester Early Education Consulting LLC. She has also been accepted into the Chicago Public Schools Principal Quality Pool and hopes to become a principal at an elementary school this year. 

She is an activist for single-mother college students and helps them complete their collegiate degrees. She has ambitious goals of helping them break poverty and create educational attainment cycles for themselves and their children. She was previously homeschooled and is currently researching Black homeschooling organizations and families. This year, she launched her own empathic studies curriculum, "Three Hearts Curriculum," for Pre-K—2nd-grade classrooms, and it will be piloted at a private school this year. 

Writuals is a monthly micro-interview series celebrating Chicago writers and their creative processes. It explores how our city’s rich literary heritage, cultural diversity, and iconic spaces inspire routines that fuel local authors’ work. For programming information, news, and contests, follow The Chicago Literary Hall of Fame on Instagram @chicagoliteraryhalloffame and send a private message to Jasminum McMullen about your interest in participating in the Writuals series @thewritegift.