In college and graduate school, Jewell Parker Rhodes never encountered a single reading assignment or exercise that featured a person of color. Now she has made it her mission to rectify the situation, gathering advice and inspiring tips tailored for African Americans seeking to express their life experiences.
Comprehensive and totally energizing, the African American Guide to Writing and Publishing Nonfiction bursts with supportive topics such as:
·Finding your voice
·Getting to know your literary ancestors
·Overcoming a bruised ego and finding the determination to pursue your dreams
·Gathering material and conducting research
·Tapping sweet, bittersweet, and joyful memories
·Knowing when to keep revising, and when to let go
The guide also features unforgettable excerpts from luminaries such as Maya Angelou, Brent Staples, Houston Baker, and pointers from bestselling African American authors Patrice Gaines, E. Lynn Harris, James McBride, John Hope Franklin, Pearl Cleage, Edwidge Danticat, and many others. It is a uniquely nurturing and informative touchstone for affirming, bearing witness, leaving a legacy, and celebrating the remarkable journey of the self.
Praise for The African American Guide to Writing & Publishing Nonfiction:
“Rhodes catalogs black literary ancestors and provides solid advice on gathering ideas from life’s joys and disappointments and using source materials from interviews with relatives to libraries and Web sites…. Although the information is culturally specific to African Americans, any reader interested in writing will enjoy this book.”
– Booklist
“Jewell Parker Rhodes presents another, genre-specific guide for writers, The African American Guide to Writing and Publishing Nonfiction, and this one puts more emphasis on the process of writing not, however, at the expense of valuable publishing know-how…. African-American writers seeking inspiration and practical advice will appreciate this warm, thoughtful guide.”
– Publishers Weekly