Reading Time
What better time than February - Black History Month - to get acquainted with an African American writer that you've not read before or continue your interest in one of your favorites. I'm partial to Southern authors, and though the Arts & Education Council's 2008 Chattanooga Festival of Writers - unlike it's cousin, the biennial Conference on Southern Literature - is not limited to Southern writers, there will be two notable African American Southern writers at the Festival from March 28 - 29.
Randall Kenan, member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers, will teach two workshops. My goal is to finish his novel, Let the Dead Bury Their Dead, which was a New York Times Notable Book, before the 28th. I'll also need to read one of Katori Hall's plays, maybe Hoodoo Love, before the Festival, at which she will also be teaching two workshops.
As for African American Southern authors who will not be at the Festival, you can't miss with Ernest Gaines. I just read his excellent novel, A Lesson Before Dying, and I'm embarrassed to say that it was the first time I've been exposed to his work. It certainly won't be the last! Of course there's also Ralph Ellison and Alice Walker. For newer talent, I highly recommend William Henry Lewis. I was very impressed with his reading of his short story "Shades" at the 2007 Conference on Southern Literature and was not disappointed when it prompted me to buy and read the collection of stories that included "Shades", titled I Got Somebody in Staunton.
This is not by any means meant to be a comprehensive list of great Southern African American authors. Just something to whet the appetite. I welcome input by all. For that matter, no need to limit it to Southerners (Toni Morrison quickly comes to mind).
-TH
Literature | By aec | 10:13 AM
