“Maybe ‘family’ brings to mind only blood, marital relations, and it’s easy to understand that way of thinking. But love by my hand tethers generations to generations, as well as kin by skin, in this place where all in me, and of me, can thrive.” – Jamila Minnicks, Moonrise Over New Jessup
Hello Family,
It is my pleasure to introduce you to Jamila Minnicks, a member of the Lit 16 Final Four.
Her debut novel Moonrise Over New Jessup (Algonquin Books, 2023), won the 2021 PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction. Her short fiction and essays are published, or forthcoming, in The Sun, CRAFT, Catapult, Blackbird, The Write Launch, and elsewhere; and her piece, Politics of Distraction, was nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Jamila’s work has been supported by the Sewanee Writers’ Conference and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. Jamila is a graduate of the University of Michigan, the Howard University School of Law, and the Georgetown University Law Center.
Here is what I had to say about Jamila’s debut novel:
“I was awestruck by its beauty, rapt by its originality, and astounded by its depth. But what astonished me most was learning that this is a debut. The craftwork is extraordinary. Was this book dreamed into existence? Did the Ancestors themselves place this story in the writer’s mind? From page one, I knew this work would transform me. It expanded the way I imagine what is possible in the art form. More than interesting, it is integral. More than important, it is inspiring. Read this book. Cherish it. Protect it. You must. Right out of the gate, Jamila Minnicks’s Moonrise Over New Jessup is a masterpiece.”
You will get to hear Jamila read from Moonrise Over New Jessup, alongside three other authors, TONIGHT at the virtual Lit 16: Final Four event, hosted by:
Cindelle’s Bookstore
Thursday, July 13, 2023
7 p.m. ET
RSVP: HERE
You can purchase the books of Lit 16 authors from Cindelle’s Bookstore: HERE.
This is the last Lit 16 event for the inaugural class. But it is by no means the end of the Lit 16. We shall return at a future time. Keep your ear to the ground and eye on the word for announcements.
And, as always: Buy Banned Books!
*Fist to the sky*
Blessings upon blessings,
Robert
In the spirit of community over competition, the Lit 16 is how Deesha Philyaw, Kiese Laymon, and I use our platforms to shine a light on emerging writers whose art has impacted, inspired, and moved us in ways that we wanted to honor and share with you.
We could have easily created a Lit 64; there are so many fantastic recent debuts that we adore. Unfortunately, for many reasons, we are unable to accommodate that large of a scope. However, we do encourage all of our artistic peers to advance toward the directive set forth by the iconic and legendary Ancestor Toni Morrison: “If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else.”
Be sure to follow the #Lit16 hashtag on social media and subscribe to Witness to stay up-to-date on upcoming Lit 16 events. Thank you so very much for joining us in celebration.