Books That Changed My Life: Tony Weaver Jr. & Three Plays

In this inspiring episode, host Chris Collins sits down with Tony Weaver Jr. — award-winning author, TED Talk speaker, and founder of Weird Enough Productions — to discuss creativity, capitalism, mental health, and how his middle-grade graphic novel "Weirdo" is disrupting the traditional publishing industry.

Tony shares how growing up in Atlanta, Georgia and being the son of hardworking parents shaped his values and storytelling lens. He reflects on the pivotal moment in high school when he realized his gift for storytelling — and how a traumatic plagiarism accusation nearly crushed it. That moment pushed him to reject the Western literary canon, dive into his love for anime and manga, and eventually live in Japan to better understand Japanese storytelling, economics, and the culture that produced beloved series like Naruto, One Piece, and Jujutsu Kaisen.

This episode explores the sharp contrast between manga culture in Japan — where comics are printed weekly on cheap paper and consumed like disposable media — and the school and library-driven publishing model in the U.S., where titles like Holes remain curriculum staples for decades. Tony unpacks how the gatekeeping in education and publishing limits diverse voices, and how he used his understanding of capitalism, creative discipline, and self-publishing to position "Weirdo" as a tool to support mental health in middle schoolers.

He also speaks directly to young Black artists and aspiring comic book creators, urging them to know not just what’s trending on Shonen Jump, but also who the top 5 U.S. book publishers are. Tony breaks down why understanding the market is as essential as having a unique point of view, and why artists must learn to navigate the system without losing their voice.

If you're passionate about graphic novels for kids, Black creators, mental health advocacy, or the intersection of art and commerce, this episode is a must-listen.

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