They soon learn that the person who at first seemed like an angel is really a monster who will try to mute them in the end.Ĭharles, who came across a few characters in the music industry during her brief tenure with a female group in the ’90s, says that while her experience was “nowhere near as rollercoaster-ish as the young ladies we read about in her book, there is still a need for people to believe those stories.” She adds, “We need a whole collection of them for people to really start taking the stories seriously.”Īs an emerging, powerful voice in Black literature, Charles is on a mission to write stories that honor our rich Black culture and heritage. Together they want nothing more than to be stars and they get that chance when they meet and sing for a legendary R&B singer, songwriter, and producer. The thriller novel takes readers on the musical journey of a 17-year- old girl named Denver and best friends Shak and Dalisay. Inspired by true events, Charles tells ESSENCE she wanted “Muted” to “give a voice to the voiceless and let young Black women know that you can follow your musical dreams but you don’t have to be exploited to do so.” We’re taking a stand centerstage where we belong. As the canon of literature expands to include a more diverse roster of Black poets and writers, we’re stepping with rhythm into spaces and places where our undeniable talent and voices will be celebrated, honored, and appreciated.

With Black poets like Amanda Gorman, who became the youngest poet to perform at a Presidential Inauguration, and Pulitzer Prize winners like Nicole Hanna Jones on the rise, Black women are changing History to HERstory. Just over a year ago, Tami Charles became a New York Times Bestselling Author with the release of her children’s book “ All Because You Matter.” Known for her poetic, lyrical style of writing, the author and poet has returned with her masterfully arranged follow-up novel in verse titled “ Muted.”

Tami charles muted