Running Petra desert,
Searching for you.
Exhausted, dehydrated, and informed:
You’ve been here before.
Led to choice–
Left, redemption; Right, condemnation.
Jordan was rerouted.
Miracles still happen.
You, too,
understand why
disappointment happens
after accomplishing life’s dreams.
Lonely.
[Every day for the month of February, I will post a brief write-up of a Black author and links to some of their books. Please click the links in the text to find copies of their works.]
Charmaine Wilkerson is a British-Jamaican author whose work explores themes of identity, family, and displacement. Her writing is characterized by its evocative prose and complex, multi-dimensional characters. She has published several works, including short stories and her debut novel, “Black Cake,” which was shortlisted for the 2019 SI Leeds Literary Prize. In addition to her writing, Wilkerson is also an editor and educator, and she has worked to mentor emerging writers from diverse backgrounds. Her contributions to the literary world have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, and her work continues to inspire readers around the world.
[Every day for the month of February, I will post a brief write-up of a Black author and links to some of their books. Please click the links in the text to find copies of their works.]
Saeed Jones is a highly acclaimed American poet, memoirist, and literary critic. He has garnered much recognition for his work, including the 2015 Pushcart Prize and the 2015 Stonewall Book Award. Jones’ poetry collection, “Prelude to Bruise,” is known for its raw and honest exploration of identity, trauma, and desire, and has been widely praised by critics and readers alike. His memoir, “How We Fight for Our Lives,” is a powerful and personal account of his coming-of-age as a young, black, gay man in the American South. Jones’ writing is a testament to the power of storytelling and the human experience.
[Every day for the month of February, I will post a brief write-up of a Black author and links to some of their books. Please click the links in the text to find copies of their works.]
Yaa Gyasi is a Ghanaian-American novelist who has gained widespread recognition for her powerful and poignant writing style. Born in Ghana and raised in the United States, Gyasi brings a unique perspective to her work that blends her heritage and cultural experiences with her American upbringing. Her debut novel, “Homegoing,” was published in 2016 and quickly became a bestseller, garnering critical acclaim and numerous awards.
“Homegoing” tells the story of two half-sisters and their descendants in Africa and the Americas, tracing their ancestral line through the tumultuous history of slavery, colonialism, and the present day. The novel is structured as a series of interconnected stories that span generations and continents, giving voice to a diverse cast of characters who each face their own challenges and triumphs.
Gyasi’s writing is characterized by its lyrical and evocative prose, as well as its ability to delve into the complexities of human emotion and experience. Through her exploration of the intersecting histories of Africa and the Americas, she provides a nuanced and insightful commentary on issues such as race, identity, and the legacy of colonialism.
In addition to “Homegoing,” Gyasi has published several other works, including a collection of essays and a novel for young adults. Her writing has earned her numerous accolades, including the National Book Critics Circle’s John Leonard Prize and the PEN/Hemingway Award.
Despite her relatively short career, Yaa Gyasi has already established herself as a major voice in contemporary literature. Her writing is a testament to the power of storytelling and the capacity of literature to shed light on the human condition. As she continues to write and publish new works, she promises to be a writer to watch in the years to come.
[Every day for the month of February, I will post a brief write-up of a Black author and links to some of their books. Please click the links in the text to find copies of their works.]
Jericho Brown is an American poet and professor who was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1978.
He is known for his powerful and lyrical poems that explore themes of race, love, and sexuality. Brown’s work has been widely praised for its use of metaphor and imagery, as well as its frank and intimate depictions of personal experience. He has published several books of poetry, including “The New Testament,” “Please,” and “The Tradition,” which won the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for poetry.
Brown is a professor of creative writing at Emory University and continues to be a leading voice in contemporary American poetry.
[Every day for the month of February, I will post a brief write-up of a Black author and links to some of their books. Please click the links in the text to find copies of their works.]
Tade Thompson is a British-Nigerian science fiction and horror writer. He is best known for his novel “Rosewater,” which won the Nommo Award for Best African Science Fiction Novel and was shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award in 2018.
Thompson’s writing explores themes of identity, colonialism, and mental health, set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s future. He has been praised for his unique voice and ability to craft thought-provoking stories that challenge conventional storytelling in the science fiction genre.
Thompson’s work has been described as “brilliantly imaginative” and “powerful,” and he is considered one of the most important new voices in science fiction today.
Sorry was enough.
Apologies rejected.
No forgiveness haunts.
[Every day for the month of February, I will post a brief write-up of a Black author and links to some of their books. Please click the links in the text to find copies of their works.]
N.K. Jemisin is a critically acclaimed science fiction and fantasy author known for her imaginative world-building and thought-provoking storytelling. Born in Mobile, Alabama in 1972, Jemisin has been writing fiction since she was a child and has published numerous books and short stories. Her works explore a wide range of themes, including social justice, systemic oppression, and the complexities of human relationships.
One of Jemisin’s most notable works is her “Broken Earth” trilogy, which consists of the novels “The Fifth Season,” “The Obelisk Gate,” and “The Stone Sky.” Set in a world plagued by catastrophic earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, this series follows the journey of a group of characters as they navigate the complex political and social landscape of their world. The “Broken Earth” trilogy has won numerous awards, including the Hugo Award for Best Novel three years in a row, a feat that has never been achieved before.
Jemisin’s writing is characterized by her ability to craft intricate, multilayered worlds that are both fantastical and grounded in reality. She draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, including African and African-American mythology, science fiction, and contemporary politics. Jemisin’s writing also often tackles complex social issues such as race, gender, and sexuality, and she has been praised for her nuanced and thought-provoking depictions of these topics.
In addition to her writing, Jemisin is also an active voice in the science fiction and fantasy community, using her platform to raise awareness about issues such as representation and diversity in the genre. She has been a strong advocate for marginalized voices and has worked to promote the work of other writers of color.
Sources:
[Every day for the month of February, I will post a brief write-up of a Black author and links to some of their books. Please click the links in the text to find copies of their works.]
Akwaeke Emezi is a Nigerian-born author and filmmaker whose work explores themes of identity, self-discovery, and the blurred lines between reality and the supernatural.
Emezi’s debut novel, “Freshwater,” was published in 2018 to critical acclaim and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. Their follow-up, “The Death of Vivek Oji,” was released in 2020 and received similar praise. Emezi’s unique style and imaginative storytelling have earned them a reputation as a leading voice in contemporary African literature.
Their work has been described as “a journey into the deep, uncharted waters of the African psyche” (The New York Times). Emezi’s writing has been celebrated for its nuance and its ability to challenge conventional narratives about the African experience.
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Calming the Natives 