Tomi Adeyemi

Tomi Adeyemi is an American novelist and creative writing coach whose debut book, Children of Blood and Bone, became a publishing phenomenon. Her work draws on West African mythology and Yoruba culture, blending epic fantasy with sharp social commentary on race and power. She is widely regarded as a key voice in diversifying young adult fantasy.

Adeyemi's first novel launched the Legacy of Orïsha trilogy and hit number one on the New York Times Best Sellers list, staying there for over 100 weeks. It has sold more than 2 million copies worldwide and been translated into over 20 languages. The book won the 2018 Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy, the 2019 Waterstones Book Prize, and the 2019 Hugo Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book. Her success landed her on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2019 and the TIME 100 Most Influential People of 2020 in the Pioneers category.

In 2022, Paramount Pictures announced a film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone, with Gina Prince-Bythewood attached to direct. Adeyemi is co-writing the screenplay and serving as executive producer. She also runs a Substack newsletter called "The Narrative," offering writing advice and industry insights, and teaches occasional workshops. Her fans, known as Oríshans, celebrate the books with cosplay, fan art, and online events. Adeyemi is known for her bold, colorful fashion, often incorporating African prints and modern silhouettes. Her personal brand blends fantasy, social justice, and African heritage. The media has portrayed her as a trailblazer for diversity in YA fantasy, sometimes calling her a "Nigerian-American J.K. Rowling."[edit]

Adeyemi grew up in Chicago, Illinois, in a Nigerian-American household. She has said she felt disconnected from her Yoruba heritage as a child, a gap she later filled through research and travel. She attended Harvard University, graduating in 2015 with a degree in English literature. While there, she studied under Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, which deepened her interest in African mythology. Her Harvard thesis examined the role of mythology in African literature.

After Harvard, she earned a master's degree in creative writing from the University of Cambridge from 2016 to 2017. A pivotal moment came in 2016 when she visited Nigeria for the first time. She toured the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which directly inspired the world of Orïsha. She wrote the first draft of Children of Blood and Bone in just three months during her master's program, often listening to Beyoncé's Lemonade on repeat. In 2017, she signed a six-figure, three-book deal with Henry Holt and Company, a deal that made headlines in publishing circles for its size and the buzz around a debut author. She was born on August 1, 1993, and later moved to Texas. Her childhood was marked by a love of storytelling and fantasy.[edit]

Adeyemi's breakthrough came in March 2018 with the publication of Children of Blood and Bone. The novel debuted at number one on the New York Times Young Adult hardcover bestseller list and stayed on the list for more than 100 weeks. It has sold over 2 million copies worldwide and been translated into more than 20 languages. The book won the Andre Norton Award, the Waterstones Book Prize, and the Hugo Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book.

In 2019, she was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Media category. In 2020, TIME included her in its 100 Most Influential People list in the Pioneers category. She also won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, Youth/Teens and the British Book Award for Children's Fiction. In 2022, she published the second book in the trilogy, Children of Virtue and Vengeance, which won the Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction. That same year, Paramount Pictures announced a film adaptation of the first book, with Gina Prince-Bythewood directing. Adeyemi is co-writing the screenplay and serves as executive producer. As of 2026, the third and final book, Children of Shadow and Light, is expected to be published in 2025, and the film is in pre-production. She also gave a TEDx talk in 2019 titled "The Danger of a Single Story in Fantasy" and served as a guest editor for the 2020 anthology A Phoenix First Must Burn. She has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Cambridge and was inducted into the Texas Institute of Letters in 2024.[edit]

Adeyemi's fans call themselves Oríshans and are active on Instagram, Tumblr, and TikTok, where they share fan art, cosplay, and theories about the books. Book release days are celebrated with "Orísha Nights", online events where fans discuss the series. On social media, Adeyemi mixes professional updates with candid posts about writing struggles and mental health, which has built a loyal and engaged following. She has been featured on magazine covers including Entertainment Weekly (2018), The Hollywood Reporter (2019), Publishers Weekly (2021), and Essence (2023). She has been named to lists such as Variety's 10 Storytellers to Watch and The Root 100 Most Influential African Americans. Her notable quotes include: "I wanted to write a book that I would have loved to read as a teenager. A book that showed me that black girls can be the heroines of epic fantasy."[edit]

Tomi Adeyemi has cultivated a deeply engaged readership that operates with the fervor of a movement, though her community lacks a single branded moniker. Her supporters, often identifying simply as fans of *Children of Blood and Bone*, have forged a vibrant digital ecosystem on TikTok and Instagram where they share fan art, cosplay, and intricate theories about the world of Orïsha. These readers are instrumental in driving bestseller lists and organizing virtual book clubs, yet their energy recently pivoted toward a defining conflict surrounding the film adaptation. The narrative of 2026 is dominated by reports of Adeyemi leaving the Paramount set in emotional distress, an event that transformed her public image from celebrated author to a figure of industry betrayal. While this drama reshaped her relationship with the screen project, her core audience remains dedicated to the literary legacy she built.

Regarding her standing in the global consciousness, iFANN has evaluated Tomi Adeyemi's profile against its comprehensive metrics for August 2026. She does not currently hold a placement in the published Global Top 1,000 rankings or any Top-100 scope list. This evaluation reflects a complex landscape where high engagement does not always translate to a specific numerical rank within the engine's current parameters. The absence of a formal ranking number does not diminish the scale of her influence, which is measured through sustained media coverage, consumption signals worldwide, and the enduring resonance of her work across generations.[edit]

Tomi Adeyemi carries a tattoo of the Yoruba symbol for "Orí" (destiny) on her wrist and draws upon her background as a trained dancer to infuse movement motifs into her prose. She frequently travels by train rather than flying due to a fear of aviation and wrote the first draft of *Children of Blood and Bone* while listening to Beyoncé's *Lemonade* on repeat. Her creative foundation includes a Harvard thesis on African literature mythology and inspiration drawn from the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove during a trip to Nigeria. A devotee of J.K. Rowling despite criticizing the author's transphobic remarks, Adeyemi is also open about her struggles with anxiety and imposter syndrome.

A defining legend of her career emerged when reports surfaced of Adeyemi leaving the set of the *Children of Blood and Bone* film adaptation while sobbing and hyperventilating. Sources describe the experience as unbearable, leading her to sever ties with the project despite her executive producer credit. This dramatic separation, fueled by tensions with lead actress Amandla Stenberg, has become the primary folklore associated with her in the public eye, transforming a story of success into one of personal trauma and professional rejection.[edit]

Adeyemi's parents are Nigerian immigrants who raised her in Chicago. She has two siblings. She has spoken publicly about her close relationship with her mother, who supported her writing dreams from a young age. Adeyemi does not have children as of 2026. She owns a home in Los Angeles, purchased in 2021, and has a golden retriever named Kofi.[edit]

Adeyemi has collaborated with director Gina Prince-Bythewood on the film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone. She studied under Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka at Harvard. She is friends with fellow authors Angie Thomas and Nic Stone, with whom she has worked on diversity initiatives. She is often compared to Nigerian-American fantasy author Nnedi Okorafor.[edit]

Adeyemi keeps her romantic life private. In 2020, she briefly mentioned in an interview that she was dating someone, but no name or details were shared. The relationship appeared to end by 2021 based on her social media activity. She has not publicly confirmed any other romantic relationships, and as of 2026, she is single. She has never been married or engaged, and has no children. In interviews, she has said she prioritizes her career and personal growth.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Tomi Adeyemi's net worth stands at $6 Million as of 2026, with projections pointing toward continued growth. Her financial portfolio is anchored by the commercial success of her debut novel, which has moved over 2 million copies globally and generated substantial royalties. The initial three-book agreement with Henry Holt reportedly secured a six-figure sum between $250,000 and $500,000. Additional revenue streams include a producer credit and co-writer fee tied to the Paramount film deal, estimated at $500,000 to $1 million upfront plus backend points. Speaking engagements command fees ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 per appearance, while her Substack newsletter, "The Narrative," contributes approximately $100,000 annually through its subscriber base. Adeyemi owns a Los Angeles residence acquired for $1.2 million in 2021 and maintains selective brand partnerships without significant holdings in stocks or cryptocurrency.[edit]

Adeyemi has won several major literary awards. Her debut novel Children of Blood and Bone won the Andre Norton Award, the Waterstones Book Prize, and the Hugo Lodestar Award. She also won the NAACP Image Award and the British Book Award for Children's Fiction. The sequel Children of Virtue and Vengeance won the Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction.[edit]