In a recent interview with Temple of Geek, award-winning author, motivational speaker, and influencer Tony Weaver Jr. shared insights into his work and the driving forces behind his passion. Weaver, who describes himself as “a storyteller,” has “a very deep passion for stories. He believes they can make the world better and can improve the way that we look at ourselves and the way that we treat others”. This passion fuels his diverse creative endeavors.
Weirdo: A Nerdy Kid’s Instruction Manual
Weaver is the author of the graphic novel memoir Weirdo, a “nerdy kid’s instruction manual for self-love and self-confidence.” It chronicles his personal journey of overcoming adversity and embracing individuality. Weaver describes Weirdo as “all the messages that I wish someone had told me when I was younger packaged into a very digestible form of the story”. Weirdo has received widespread acclaim, earning the title of Book of the Year from esteemed publications such as People Magazine, Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, The New York Public Library, and the Chicago Public Library.
.Beyond his literary success, Weaver has cultivated a substantial and engaged social media presence. His verified accounts include TikTok, boasting over 29 million likes and over 869,000 followers, and Instagram, with over 221,000 followers.
In the interview, Weaver discussed the upcoming Weirdo sequel, which will delve into “stress and anxiety surrounding standardized testing”. This focus aligns with Weaver’s commitment to addressing critical issues impacting young people’s mental health.
Tony Weaver Jr on Accolades and Recognition
Weaver’s impactful work has earned him recognition as one of Forbes 30 Under 30 for inspiring others to embrace their uniqueness and for promoting discussions about mental health. He is also the Founder and CEO of Weird Enough Productions, a media company dedicated to using anime to create positive representations of Black men and other minority groups. Additionally, he is the creator of the acclaimed webcomic The UnCommons, available on Webtoons.
His influence extends beyond the literary and digital realms. Weaver has been recognized as a History Shaker by Coca-Cola. As well as a Global Barrier Breaker by Marriott International and a Champion for Change by CNN, among numerous other accolades. He has also delivered his own TED Talk.
Fandom, Inclusivity, and Self-Love
During the interview, Weaver also emphasized the importance of self-love in navigating fandom spaces and addressing insecurities. “One of my deepest beliefs is that a person that truly loves themselves does not inherently go through the world seeking to hurt other people,” Weaver stated. He believes that insecurities can manifest in harmful behaviors within fandom communities.
Weaver’s work celebrates geek culture, particularly anime. He expressed his appreciation for the medium, noting, “I think the thing that makes anime fun is that since it is a consumer product that’s built in a market that is different than the United States market, they get to do things that you would inherently get to do if you were making a book in the United States”. He highlights the diversity of stories that anime can tell, stories that might not find a place in the Western market. “I just like anime because there’s room for a larger variety of stories,” Weaver explained.
Advice for Creators and Entrepreneurs
Weaver offered advice to aspiring creators and entrepreneurs, outlining “Tony’s three step plan”:
- “You need a point of view”. Weaver stresses the importance of clarity in what you want to say and who you want to say it to.
- Creators need to “go look at the other people that have done it before”. He cautions against the pursuit of being “the first” and encourages learning from the successes and failures of those who came before. Weaver explains that “it profits you nothing to be the first” and that you should learn from the history of those in your field. He gives the example of aspiring comic book creators needing to know about the “big five publishers in the U.S.” and “Publishers Weekly”. As well as “the process of selling a book in the market that their book will actually be sold at”.
- “Be disciplined”.
Tony Weaver Jr.’s dedication to storytelling, advocacy, and fostering positive change continues to inspire and resonate with audiences worldwide.
