BXBF Authors Answer — Coco Ma
The authors and panelists of the Bronx Book Festival responded to personal questions about their lives, the writing process, and current literary inspirations. To see their panels and hear more about their books, RSVP for the Bronx Book Festival below.
COCO MA
AUTHOR OF SHADOW FROST
Why did you become an author?
I knew I had a story to tell — which was something I wanted to prove that anyone could do, no matter how old you were. When I finished writing Shadow Frost at the age of 15, not many people believed that I could publish it (even though they hadn't even read it!). Long story short, Shadow Frost ended up selling as a trilogy. Today, I'm fueled by the readers and aspiring writers who take my authoring journey as inspiration to embark on their own.
What are you reading right now?
King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo. Six of Crows was one of my first (and favorite!) YA reads, and I've only recently had the pleasure of devouring the Grisha trilogy. I can't tell you how excited I am for the Netflix Show!
Have you ever been to the Bronx? If so, what's a favorite memory you have? If not, what do you know or think about the Bronx?
I ran Varsity Track in high school and there used to be outdoor meets at Pelham Bay Park (I went to school in Manhattan). Meets were always the highlight of the track season and running races there with my teammates will always be a very treasured memory!
What is a quote you live by?
Don't work hard or work smart. Work hard and work smart.