Tag Archives: creative writing

On the Road Again! Mahogany Bookstore and Drifting

Posted on August 25, 2021 by tonipressleysanon

A few years ago I visited Washington, DC expressly to visit the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture. At the time, there were still plenty of crowds, but I had waited until the initial rush had passed. So, … Continue reading →

Tagged African-American, black women, Caribbean, creative writing, Haiti, Katia Ulysse, literature, review | Leave a comment

Paule Marshall Resting in Power 1929-2019

Posted on August 21, 2019 by tonipressleysanon

August has been a rough month for us lovers of the word. A couple of weeks ago, the great Toni Morrison took her place amongst the ancestors. A few days ago, on August 12th, the incomparable Paule Marshall joined her. … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, African-American, Afro-Caribbean, Caribbean, culture, literature, Writer | Tagged Art, black woman, black writer, creative writing, literature, novel, Paule Marshall, short stories, women | 1 Comment

Toni Morrison Resting in Power 1931-2019

Posted on August 7, 2019 by tonipressleysanon

Rest in your power, Toni Morrison Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am documentary interview Morrison on what motivated her to write The Bluest Eye News of her life and transition: Nobel Prize-Winning Author Dies at 88 Toni Morrison: Nobel … Continue reading →

Posted in African-American, culture, history, lecture, literature, slavery, Writer | Tagged black women, creative writing, history, literature, novel, short stories, toni morrison, women | 1 Comment

Happy Birthday Octavia Butler!

Posted on June 22, 2019 by tonipressleysanon

Happy birthday Octavia Butler!! The genius writer Octavia Butler would have been 72 years today! An interview with Ms. Butler on “Transcending Boundaries” An NPR interview with Ms. Butler and an essay by her. She was the recipient of several … Continue reading →

Posted in African-American, literature, Speculative Fiction | Tagged black women, creative writing, literature, Octavia Butler | Leave a comment

Review of Charles Johnson’s Taming the Ox

Posted on April 2, 2019 by tonipressleysanon

I am an admirer of the African American Buddhist writer cartoonist extraordinaire Charles Johnson. Johnson is the recipient of several awards including the coveted MacArthur “Genius Award” as well as Guggenheim and National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships. I was … Continue reading →

Tagged angel kyodo williams, black buddhist, black women buddhist, book review, charles johnson, creative writing, jan willis, literature, peace is every step, ruth king, taming the ox, thich nhat hanh, women, zenju earthlyn manuel | Leave a comment

Review of Nafissa Thomas-Spires’ Heads of the Colored People

Posted on March 19, 2019 by tonipressleysanon

Nafissa Thompson-Spires’ short story collection Heads of the Colored People (2018) is incredibly SMART!! All of the stories are amazing—expertly crafted and honed works of literary genius. Some of them are very clearly connected by the individuals who are their subjects … Continue reading →

Posted in African-American, literature | Tagged black and brown feminism, black feminism, black women, black women feminists, black women writers, creative writing, literature, Nafissa Thomas-Spires, short stories, women | Leave a comment

Review of Washington Black

Posted on February 5, 2019 by tonipressleysanon

The simply named Washington Black (2018) by Canadian Esi Edugyan , though expansive in its reach, takes place over a mere four-year period. In that short period of time young Washington, or Wash as he is called by Christopher (Titch) … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Afro-Caribbean, Britain, Caribbean, culture, history, literature, slavery, slavery. britain, Writer | Tagged barbados, Caribbean, creative writing, esi edugyan, literature, novel, review, washington black | Leave a comment

Review of Chinelo Okparanta’s Happiness Like Water

Posted on May 30, 2016 by alligatorwoods

Happiness Like Water by Chinelo Okparanta, 196 pp., Mariner Books 2013, $9.96 paperback I actually finished reading Chinelo Okparanta’s Happiness Like Water several weeks ago, but sat on the review, trying to gain some distance from the work. Let me begin … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa | Tagged Africa, African Literature, black women, Chinelo Okparanta, creative writing, West Africa | Leave a comment

Review of God Help the Child: A Novel

Posted on April 26, 2016 by tonipressleysanon

God Help the Child: A Novel by Toni Morrison, 192 pp. Alfred A. Knopf 2015. $16.58 hardcover The ostensible protagonist of writer and critic Toni Morrison’s latest novel, God Help the Child, is Bride, a young woman who is described … Continue reading →

Posted in Writer | Tagged African-American, black women, creative writing, God Help the Child, toni morrison | Leave a comment

Review of The Hairdresser of Harare: A Novel

Posted on April 18, 2016 by alligatorwoods

My first encounter with Zimbabwean writer and certified podiatrist Tendai Huchu was a few years ago when I found his short story “The Sale” in AfroSF: Science Fiction by African Writers (2012), edited by the incomparable Nnedi Okorafor. Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, literature, review, Writer | Tagged Africa, creative writing, literature, review, Tendai Huchu | Leave a comment