The Debutante Ball

Seven debut authors. Seven books. One big dance toward publication.

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  • Melissa Chadburn
  • Jennifer Fawcett
  • Flora Collins
  • Sonya Singh
  • Cleyvis Natera
  • Sarah Grunder Ruiz
  • Carolyn Huynh

Author: Aya de Leon

Aya de Leon directs the Poetry for the People program in the African American Studies Department at UC Berkeley. Her work has appeared in Essence Magazine, xojane, Ebony, Guernica, Writers Digest, Mutha Magazine, Movement Strategy Center, My Brown Baby, KQED Pop, Bitch Magazine, Racialicious, Fusion, and she has been a guest on HuffPostLive. She is the author of the children's picture book PUFFY: PEOPLE WHOSE HAIR DEFIES GRAVITY. Kensington Books will be publishing her debut feminist heist novel, UPTOWN THIEF, in 2016. For more info, go to ayadeleon.wordpress.com.
  • Posted on Friday, September 2, 2016Thursday, September 1, 2016
  • by Aya de Leon

The End of My Deb Year: Goodbye, Welcome, and Becoming a Sophomore

I distinctly remember coming back to college after my freshman year (freshwoman, really). I still felt fresh. Being new to…

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  • Posted on Friday, August 26, 2016Wednesday, August 24, 2016
  • by Aya de Leon

My Deb Year: So Delighted That’s Settled!

Although I’ve dreamed of being a novelist since I was a young adult, I am achieving the dream in my…

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  • Posted on Friday, August 19, 2016Thursday, August 18, 2016
  • by Aya de Leon

What I’ve Been Reading (Listening To) in 2016

Unlike my Deb sisters with the huge TBR stacks (to be read), I have completely accepted defeat. I can’t seem…

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  • Posted on Friday, August 12, 2016Thursday, August 11, 2016
  • by Aya de Leon

The City Girl’s Guide to Small Town Fiction: Why I Love Louise Miller’s Debut Novel

I’m a city girl. I’ve lived only in urban coastal areas–the Bay Area of Northern California and Boston. I write…

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  • Posted on Saturday, August 6, 2016Saturday, August 6, 2016
  • by Aya de Leon

Aya de Leon Remixes the Deb Interview and GIVEAWAY of UPTOWN THIEF

Over this past year being a Deb, I’ve shared the interview questions with several guest authors. Each time, one or…

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  • Posted on Friday, August 5, 2016Friday, August 5, 2016
  • by Aya de Leon

Launched! & I Find Myself Out At Sea…

Last week, my debut novel UPTOWN THIEF was published. As I reflect on the experience, I recall that 2004 was…

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  • Posted on Friday, July 29, 2016Saturday, July 30, 2016
  • by Aya de Leon

My Feminist Twin: Why I Love Heather Young’s THE LOST GIRLS

Heather Young is my twin sister in the world of Debut Novelists. Our books came out the same day–Tuesday, July…

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  • Posted on Friday, July 22, 2016Friday, July 22, 2016
  • by Aya de Leon

Aya de Leon’s 10 Fun Facts about UPTOWN THIEF

1. The original title of the book was The Manhattan Escort & Larceny Service. My editor Mercedes Fernandez didn’t like…

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  • Posted on Friday, July 15, 2016Thursday, July 14, 2016
  • by Aya de Leon

My second debut

Second time around In some ways, I’m a second round debutante. In 2004, I did a solo show. It was…

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  • Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2016Friday, July 8, 2016
  • by Aya de Leon

Zen & the Art of Women’s Basketball

This week on The Debutante Ball, we’re looking back at our New Year’s Resolutions. I have made many resolutions in…

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About Us

Since 2007, the Debutante Ball has been celebrating first-time authors and their books. Learn more.

Blog Schedule

Current Topic: Welcoming the New Class

Mon. 8/30: 

Tues. 8/31: Lyn says good-bye from the 2021 Debs

Wed. 9/1: New Class Takes Over

Thurs. 9/2:

Fri. 9/3:  

 Sat. 9/4:

Sun. 9/5: Debutante News

Past & Present Debs

Deb Class of 2021

Deb Class of 2020

Deb Class of 2019

Deb Class of 2018

Deb Class of 2017

Deb Class of 2016

Deb Class of 2015

Deb Class of 2014

Deb Class of 2013

Deb Class of 2012

Deb Class of 2011

Deb Class of 2010

Deb Class of 2009

Deb Class of 2008

Deb Class of 2007

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