Alicia Keys branches out with a graphic novel

Alicia Keys speaks during the 62nd Grammy Awards Nominations Conference at CBS Broadcast Center on Nov. 20, 2019 in New York City. Image: AFP/Angela Weiss via ETX Daily Up

There’s no stopping Alicia Keys, it seems. After launching her own skincare line, the American singer is now taking on the literary world. In fact, she will soon release a graphic novel inspired by her hit song, “Girl on Fire.”

Alicia Keys teamed up with writer Andrew Weiner and illustrator Brittney Williams to turn “Girl on Fire” into a graphic novel aimed at young adults, the young readers much coveted by the publishing industry. The book, to be published March 1, 2022 by HarperCollins, tells the story of Lolo Wright.

This 14-year-old thought she was a normal girl until an incident with the police made her discover that she has telekinetic abilities. She would have kept this power a secret, but Skin, a local drug dealer, wants to use it to further his influence.

“Lolo’s not willing to let Skin use her to hurt the people-and neighborhood-that she loves. But it’s going to take a whole different kind of bravery to stand-up for what’s right,” said HarperCollins Publishers.

In a statement, Alicia Keys explains that the plot of the graphic novel came to her quite naturally.

“When I wrote ‘Girl On Fire,’ I knew I was writing it for that girl in the way back row who needed someone to tell her there’s nothing you can’t do, that nothing is impossible,” said the multi-award-winning singer. “When Andrew and I came up with the idea of translating the song into a young adult graphic novel, I knew that I wanted it to be about a girl coming to realize the strength she’s always had.”

While “Girl on Fire” will be Alicia Keys’s first graphic novel, book lovers may already have discovered her writing talents in “Tears for Water: Poetry & Lyrics” and her memoir, “More Myself: A Journey.” This autobiographical work gained her a place on the coveted New York Times bestseller list last year. JB

RELATED STORIES:

Dave Grohl to release memoir on personal life, music career

Tori Amos announces new politically-themed memoir