Black Writers: Here are Three Novelists That You Need To Check Out
These Writers Have Been a Source of Inspiration
*Since 2017, we’ve covered over a thousand black poets, artists, writers – you name it. It’s only right that we celebrate our first novel release by staying true to our brand, and showing love to the fellow artist. During this series, we’ll be compiling an extensive list of talented creatives that you need to check out – this is just the beginning.*Below are a few black writers that have inspired me during my writing process. Check out their work below and consider supporting!
Cole Arthur Riley
https://youtu.be/QkC1rNqsEaYCole Arthur Riley burst onto the scene with her debut novel “This Here Flesh: Spirituality, Liberation and the Stories That Make Us”. The book – which consists of stories and reflections that span generations – was an immediate smash, and earned the elusive New York Times Bestseller crown.Along with her powerful debut offering, Cole Arthur Riley has also inspired me via pieces like “You Don’t Need to Post About Every Tragedy”, which she wrote for The Atlantic. The piece was a much needed read that pointed out the absurdity of moments like the #BlackoutTuesday campaign of June 2, 2020, and the notion that we have to lend our voice to everything. It’s refreshing to hear from such a notable writer that sometimes, silence is okay when one has nothing constructive to contribute at the moment.Cole is creator of Black Liturgies, which she describes as “A space that integrates spiritual practice with Black emotion, Black literature, and the Black body.”Check out her site here.
Jenna Caldwell
https://youtu.be/u0VPcM8X04c George Stinney Jr was executed at 14 years old in 1944 after being accused of killing two young white girls – the conviction was later overturned in 2014. In Jenna Caldwell’s stunning novel Still Waters, she reimagines a future for him. The result is an emotionally gripping story of love and loss, rooted in an important foundation of truth.Still Waters is recommended for readers with a craving for black sci-fi, and was recently awarded an award for best speculative fiction magical realism by the Brown Girl Collective Book Club.Jenna is a journalist for Time Magazine. In 2020, she earned her master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism with a focus on multimedia reporting and production—working across platforms in audio, video and text.
Bisi Adjapon
https://youtu.be/ZE5NGNqiYQI Bisi Adjapon is a fast rising author who achieved critical acclaim with The Teller of Secrets, which her website describes as “A tale of self-discovery and feminist awakening—a feisty Nigerian-Ghanaian girl growing up amid the political upheaval of late 1960s postcolonial Ghana begins to question the hypocrisy of her patriarchal society, and the restrictions and unrealistic expectations placed on women.”Next up, Ouida Books is publishing Bisi Adjapon’s upcoming novel Daughter in Exile, which is described as a heartwarming story about a young Ghanaian woman's struggle to make a life in the U.S., and the challenges she must overcome.Along with her work as novelist, Bisi has written for and been featured in many publications including McSweeney’s Quarterly, Washington Times, Washington Post, Aljazeera, and New York Times._____Be sure to support these author’s works and stay tuned for more coverage on black writers and creatives. To check out our novel, tap here.