Renee Watson grew up in Northeast Portland, and the acclaimed author and poet has built a sterling career putting the experiences of Black girls and women at the center — and on the cover — of books sold around the country.
Amy Wang, the books columnist for The Oregonian and OregonLive, interviewed Watson for the latest episode of Beat Check with The Oregonian.
They talked about Watson's newest book, Love is a Revolution; her writing process, how Watson, who splits time between Portland and New York City, has been unable to visit the Rose City since the pandemic hit, how she decides to create her characters, what other projects she has in store and much more.
Watson is also the coauthor of the 2019 book “Watch us Rise,” and the second book in her middle-grade Ryan Hart series, which is set in Portland, comes out in April. She's received a Coretta Scott King Award and Newbery Honor. 
She's appearing, virtually, at Powell's Books March 3.
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