Our Origin Story
StorySpinner Entertainment is the brainchild of teachers and authors, Nia Davenport and Traci-Anne Canada. The two became fast friends while away on a writers’ retreat and spent years discussing their frustrations with the lack of representation and fair publishing practices for marginalized authors. StorySpinner Entertainment is the result of their determination to turn publishing on its head, while bringing the world fun, innovation, and reflective stories for children who long to see themselves on the page.
The name StorySpinner comes from the idea of Anansi and the web of stories he has spun across the African Diaspora.
Nia Davenport - Owner and Co-President
Nia "N.E." Davenport is the Science Fiction/Fantasy author of The Blood Trials and its sequel from Harper Voyager. She’s also a member of the Hugo-nominated FIYAHCON team, in which she helps organize the SFF convention’s programming. She attended the University of Southern California and studied Biological Sciences and Theatre. She has an M.A. in Secondary Education, and she teaches English and Biology. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys vacationing with her family, skiing, and being a huge foodie. She’s an advocate for diverse perspectives and protagonists in literature. You can find her online at www.nedavenport.com, on Twitter @nia_davenport, or on Instagram @nia.davenport, where she talks about binge-worthy TV and great books. She lives in Texas with her husband and kids.
Traci-Anne Canada - Owner and Co-President
Traci-Anne Canada is a high school literature teacher with an M.A.T. in Secondary English Literature. When not teaching, she moonlights as an MG, YA, and adult Science Fiction/Fantasy writer. She has been a part of the literary community for several years, particularly in the kidlit, romance, and Black literature sectors, including being a member of the Hugo-nominated FIYAHCON team, volunteering for DVCon, and participating as a mentor in DVMentor. She lives in Atlanta, but can be found online at TraciAnneCanada.com and on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok at TraciAnneCan yelling about books, television, film, and the American educational system.