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Junot Díaz: Interview
Junot’s Oscar by Allison Isaac When Junot Díaz published his first book, Drown, it was met with critical acclaim from countless media sources. Described as “mesmerizingly honest,” “powerful” and “convincing,” Díaz’s work has been published in The New Yorker, GQ, The Paris Review, and African Voices (among others).
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Goretti Kyomuhendo: Interview
Every Woman by Beatrice Lamwaka Originally appeared in Mosaic #24, June 2009 Born in 1965, Ugandan writer Goretti Kyomuhendo is one of the founding members of FEMRITE, the Ugandan Women Writers’ Association and Publishing House where she worked as the programme coordinator for ten years (1997-2007). FEMRITE was created out of a belief that gender-defined…
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Ta-Nehisi Coates: Interview
The New Black Memoir by Abdul Ali When Ta-Nehisi Coates sat down to write The Beautiful Struggle: A Father, Two Sons, and an Unlikely Road to Manhood he broke new ground for young memoirists whose work challenge what a black story can be in this contemporary moment where a black male can conceivably top the…
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Nikki Giovanni: Interview
Nikki Giovanni: Personal Politics by Nicole Sealey This interview originally appeared in Mosaic #22, August 2008 Arguably one of the most widely read poets of all time, Giovanni is, among other distinctions, the author of more than 30 books for both adults and children, the recipient of over twenty honorary degrees from national colleges and…
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Walter Dean Myers: Interview
The Transitional Voice of Walter Dean Myers by Ozioma Egwuonwu Originally appeared in Mosaic #22 August 2008 Walter Dean Myers, perhaps the most prolific writer of African-American young adult fiction, and Mosaic contributor Ozioma Egwuonwu chat about his new book Game, as well as pulling from personal experience to establish an authentic voice for the young…
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Tayari Jones: Interview
With the release of her third novel, Tayari Jones continues her ascendency up the literary ladder. Silver Sparrow “chronicles the not-quite-parallel lives of Dana Lynn Yarboro and Bunny Chaurisse Witherspoon in 1980s Atlanta. Both girls-born four months apart-are the daughters of James Witherspoon, a secret bigamist, but only Dana and her mother, Gwen, are aware…
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Marlon James: Interview
In 2007, before the release of the Man Booker Prize winning A Brief History of Seven Killings and the critically received The Book of Night Women, Marlon James sat with writer Felicia Pride to discuss John Crow’s Devil and literary success. Marlon James by Felicia Pride With the release of his debut novel, John Crow’s Devil, Marlon…
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E. Ethelbert Miller: Interview
by Remica L. Bingham Literary artifacts grace every corner of E. Ethelbert Miller’s home and each speaks to his extensive legacy in the writing world. A copy of his memoir, Fathering Words, is the centerpiece on his living room table. Priority Mail envelopes addressed to students and filled to capacity adorn tables and chairs in…
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Suheir Hammad: Interview
I think that it’s the same woman and the homegirl never leaves you. The homegirl is your foundation. My foundation is parallel to my homelife that my parents gave me and the life that was outside of my parents’ house, my parents’ apartment in Brooklyn.
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Linton Kwesi Johnson: Interview
Inglan Is A Bitch Nancy Rawlinson finds legendary dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson has not mellowed with age. Twenty years ago, a landmark album was released in the UK. Dread Beat An’ Blood was Linton Kwesi Johnson’s debut recording, the first time his political poetry had been accompanied by the powerful beats of reggae. This…
