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Willow Author and Fulbright Fellow Releases Novella
Washington, DC–Poet, fiction writer, essayist, and book reviewer Chantal James has been signed by Willow Books for her novella Fes is a Mirror. James received a Fulbright fellowship in creative writing that allowed her to live in Morocco researching and writing this work. James learned the local Arabic dialect to conduct interviews from eyewitnesses to its political events for the book. James is aWillow Books author. Her novel excerpt, Upon Alleyways, was featured in Black Fire This Time, Vol 2, she described as “an incredible experience for me to have my work alongside such phenomenal Black writers.” Her debut novel NONE BUT THE RIGHTEOUS was chosen as one of Kirkus’ 10 most anticipated fiction books of the year and was one of Library Journal‘s top winter debuts. James has been published across genres—as a poet, fiction writer, essayist, and book reviewer—in such venues as The New Republic, Catapult, Paste Magazine, Harvard’s Transition Magazine (where an excerpt of Fes is a Mirror appeared), The Bitter Southerner and more.
James’ honors include a Fulbright fellowship, a finalist position for the Alex Albright Creative Nonfiction prize from the North Carolina Literary Review for 2019, and a fellowship to the Vermont Studio Center.
Aquarius Press/Willow Books is accepting submissions for the Fall Poetry Chapbook Competition. The prize is $500 (upon publication), 20 copies of the chapbook and distribution nationwide. A runner-up may be selected, with a prize of $250, 20 copies of the chapbook and the same level of marketing and distribution.
Submit up to 40 pages in standard format, 11 or 12-pt. font.
Submissions are open thru November 15, 2025.
The winner and finalist will be announced in December 2025.
The winning chapbook(s) will be published in 2026.
“When I return to Gathering the Waters, after all these years, I fall right back into awe at Keisha-Gaye Anderson’s gift as a poet. Buoyed by the wisdom tradition and song of Black Caribbean women, of African women, these verses are balm and joy, contemplation and laughter. We are blessed to engage them again, to hold this book anew, and to gather again in their light. Through Anderson’s poetic waters we ascend, we reach ancestors, but equally important, we reach into ourselves.”
–Roberto Carlos Garcia, Traveling Freely: Essays
“Keisha-Gaye Anderson’s debut poetry collection Gathering the Waters takes the reader on a powerful poetic journey. This collection is a quintessential woman’s story, piecing together past, present and future in a melodious kaleidoscope of words. Her poet’s voice is musical, enchanting and rhythmical, mesmerizing the reader page after page. Ultimately, Anderson’s collection is both instructive and inspirational; when she shares her lyrical words of wisdom, we must listen.
–JP Howard, SAY/MIRROR (The Operating System)
Keisha-Gaye Anderson is an award-winning Jamaican-born poet, writer, and visual artist based in Brooklyn, NY. Her other poetry collections include Everything Is Necessary (Willow Books 2019). Her poetry, essays, and fiction have been widely anthologized, appearing in Caribbean Writer, Black Fire This Time (volumes I and II), African Voices, Kweli, Langston Hughes Review, Peregrine Journal, Mom Egg Review, and others. Keisha has appeared as a featured poet at Dodge Poetry Festival, Brooklyn Museum, NY Historical Society, and elsewhere. Her art has been featured in multiple exhibitions at venues like Weeksville Heritage Center, Brooklyn Public Library, Five Myles Gallery, Restoration Plaza, Billie Holiday Theater, and Carter Burden Gallery. Keisha is also an educator and workshop leader at The City University of New York, Poets House, and other organizations. She has received grants and/or fellowships from the NY Council on the Arts, NY Foundation for the Arts, and The Laundromat Project. She holds a B.A. from Syracuse University and an M.F.A. in creative writing from The City College, CUNY.
Whispers from the Multiverse: Poems from the AfroDeep
Everything about Regina YC Garcia’s Whispers from the Multiverse is holy, and from the AfroDeep, this poet creatively spins an amazing collection of poems that come together in song, in diasporic review, in a necessary review of Blackness. Herein, readers will be tantalized by lyricism and prose that explore the breadth of mothers, god, place, and the universe. There is conjuring here. There is prophecy here. There is praise here. In this valley of poems, there is indeed life. Garcia rocks us “Black and Forth” and in and out of consciousness through worlds, through streams of consciousness, through black ink on white pages, filling us up with “ancient incantations” from her “elders & their ghosts.” The poet dares us to read, commands us to be. These poems call on literary elders, the very words of god, the spirituals of Black women, and flings them into dark sky guiding us through the night where ”[t]he River Waits” she confirms. Garcia memorializes black boys in these poems, paints pictures of the vulnerability, the inevitability of Black grief in poems like “Elijah . . . surely” where a mother’s grief is as deep as her love. In “Waterproofed,” we glean what Black mothers have, for centuries, wanted to bequeath to their Black children: a lifejacket, a bullet proof vest, something to keep them alive. For “being able to conquer any fears,” to “not be pulled under [is] vital.” In these poems that speak of “days that lack humanity,” readers will be leveled up in spirit by the call and response of Southern voices, the lyrics of Negro spirituals and praise songs. For this poet, Black is a metaphor, a Bible story, an allegory, a staged truth. Garcia pontificates the pain, trauma, the degradation Black bodies have come to know in the AfroDeep, in poems like “Black Bodied.” Her literary prowess is one of storytelling that ushers in acknowledgement, reconciliation of truth. Garcia has offered up poems that render Black life gospel. There is, no doubt, proof in this collection that the words of Black women are life blood. Readers will be empowered by the bravery of Garcia’s poetic reach.
—Latorial Faison, Poet & Author
of Nursery Rhymes in Black, Mother to Son,28 Days of Poetry Celebrating Black History, and The Missed Education of the Negro: an Examination of the Black Segregated Education Experience
Garcia’s written and video poetry has been published widely in a variety of journals, reviews, compositions, and anthologies such as South Florida Poetry Journal, Main Street Rag, The AutoEthnographer, Amistad, The Elevation Review and others. Her poetic work for The Black Light Project, a documentary focused on real and often untold narratives of African American males in the United States, was featured on a Mid-South Emmy-Award winning episode of PBS Muse.
The Best of the Scribes of Heru
Volume 1
Anthology. Poetry, prose, fiction and drama. “This anthology is part of a literary underground railroad…In the 1920s, Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, and Sterling Brown sustained Black literature and orature. In the 1960s, it was the Watts Writers Workshop (1965-1973), Umbra Workshop (1964), Hoyt Fuller and Haki Madhubuti’s OBAC (1967), and now The Scribes of Heru.”–from the Foreword by Ishmael Reed
Featuring the writings of Thurman Watts, Joyce Rages, Jacqueline Elizabeth, Bill Summers, Alan Laird, Rickey Vincent and David Rages.
Coming Soon
Half a Mile from Heaven by Cole Lavalais
Short Story Collection
Esteemed Willow author Cole Lavalais (Summer of the Cicadas, 2015) returns with a new short story collection. Half a Mile to Heaven is set on the South Side of Chicago in the early 80s. The collection captures the complex lives of its residents, illuminating themes of community, resilience and love against the backdrop of an evolving urban landscape. From a twelve-year-old girl coming to terms with her friend’s pregnancy, to a coven of sisters protecting their baby sister from an abusive boyfriend through ancient means, each story explores the difficulties of love within the confines of racial and economic oppression. The collection paints a vivid portrait of a community often misrepresented and overlooked in contemporary fiction, and it delves into the rich tapestry of lives shaped by politics, geography and the relentless fight for love.
Cole Lavalais’ work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Obsidian, Apogee, Warpland, Tidal Basin Review, Aquarius Press and others. She is a fellow of the Kimbilio Center for Black Fiction, VONA and the Callaloo Writing workshops. She is an Assistant Professor of English and Creative Writing at Chicago State University and the Director of the Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing.
New Literary Journal Series
Willow Books is pleased to announce the debut of a new journal, Continuum. Forged in the success of the Black Fire This Time anthology series on the Black Arts Movement, Continuum will cover every era of Black American writing, from the earliest works from decades prior to the present.
“There is still so much of African American writing that has yet to be discovered and appreciated,” said publisher Heather Buchanan. “There are works that should be rediscovered as well. This journal series will enable all of that to happen.”
Continuum Volume 1 will feature a classic from the late icon Nikki Giovanni and an essay from Kalamu ya Salaam. Additional works include Mark Allan Davis’ “Somebody ‘Blew Up’ San Francisco State College” as well as a reprint of Jimmy Garrett’s And We Own the Night. Contemporary works from the greatest current generation writers will round out every edition.
Call for Submissions
Special Issue on Dr. Jerry W. Ward, Jr.
We are accepting submissions on the work and legacy of Dr. Jerry W. Ward, Jr., poet and Distinguished Professor of English and Africana Studies at Dillard University. Submit poetry, essays and interviews to aquariuspress@gmail.com.
BLACK FIRE THIS TIME, VOLUME 3
Submissions Period Now Open
Willow Books is currently seeking submissions for Volume 3 of Black Fire This Time, the acclaimed series. Details on SUBMITTABLE.
The release of Black Fire This Time, Volume 2 (2024) continues to be a success. The second in a series celebrating the history and legacy of the Black Arts movement, Volume 2 continues to showcase the works of multiple generations, from the founders of the movement to contemporary writers in the tradition. Hailed as the “New Golden Age of Black Writing,” the Black Fire This Time series is an unprecedented collection of the best in writing by black writers. Featured writers in the series include Sonia Sanchez, Ishmael Reed, Amiri Baraka, Gwendolyn Brooks, Lucille Clifton, 2023 American Book Award winner Everett Hoagland and 75 new poets, dramatists and fiction writers from across the country.
Support our national tour! Featuring over 70 black poets and writers across the country. Cities include San Francisco, Washington, DC, New Orleans, New York and Atlanta.
$5.00
The momentum for the BLACK FIRE—THIS TIME (2022) anthology continues to grow and has reached the notice of the New York Review of Books. In today’s article, “A New Flame for Black Fire: What Will be the Legacy of the Black Arts Movement?” author and MacArthur “Genius” Fellow Ishmael Reed describes Black Fire This Time as heralding a new golden age of Black writing for the 2000s. READ MORE
Black Fire This Time Featured in New York Review of Books!
Please support our national events with a VIRTUAL TICKET. Your ticket purchase gives you access to streamed events and priority seating at live events. Your ticket purchase helps our poets with travel to events and enables us to continue to provide free events to the public. Thank you!
OUR NATIONAL TOUR IS UNDERWAY! The National Black American Read-In (NBARI) kicks off this February and runs throughout the year. NBARI is a celebration of excellence by Black poets, writers and playwrights within our communities. Our kick-off event is at the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) on February 23, 2023. Please check in often at our website for calendar updates: www.WillowLit.net
A new anthology on the history and legacy of the Black Arts Movement. Featuring over 100 poets and writers, including Nikki Giovanni, Ishmael Reed, Sonia Sanchez, James Baldwin, Gwendolyn Brooks, Amiri Baraka, Wanda Coleman, Haki Madhubuti, Lucille Clifton, Margaret Walker, Askia Toure, Umar bin Hasan,Denise Nicholas and many other legends bridged with contemporary talents writing in the tradition. BFTT events are taking place nationwide throughout the year with a special live event at the San Francisco Public Library in November and the Museum of the African Diaspora in early 2023.
Recent Events:
COMING SOON!
Scenes from FRESHWATER ROAD as it appears in Black Fire This Time
A Staged Short Film Coming Soon
Directed by Arthur Ray, Jr.
Produced in partnership with AUXmedia LLC
Denise Nicholas
COMING SOON!
World premiere featuring Sonia Sanchez‘s narrative poem as it appears in our anthology:
“This anthology is a breakthrough…It’s only in the U.S. where black literature is marginalized…Black Fire—This Time is the Genius of Black Folk that brings so many factions together, a mélange of young and old…” —Ishmael Reed, MacArthur “Genius” Fellow
Hailed as nearly 60 years in the making, Black Fire—This Time is an invaluable historic collection.
“We. Need. Fire.
We are just as. Pushed aside as ever
And have to fight for respect.”
—Adrienne Kennedy, 2022 Gold Medal for Drama, The American Academy of Arts and Letters
BLACK FIRE THIS TIME RADIO
SUBSCRIBE for free episodes: AUXmedia Broadcasts Channel (YouTube)
Poet Dr. Kathryn Takara on her work in Black Arts literature and black Hawai’ian literature
with Moderator Dr. Kim McMillon
Premiere Events
Black Fire—This Time shows that the 2020s might be the new Golden Age of Black writing.”
from the Foreword by Ishmael Reed, MacArthur Fellow
Includes work by Denise Nicholas, actress (Room 222, In the Heat of the Night), author (Freshwater Road) and activist (Free Southern Theater).
COMING SOON–BILINGUAL EDITION
Imaginary Animal 2nd Edition by Rachelle Linda Escamilla, Library of Congress, Hispanic Division
“Raising King is a groundbreaking poetry collection that helps to rescue the radically compassionate legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Joseph Ross brilliantly reminds us that King’s power derived from the way in which he forced American and global citizens to confront uncomfortable truths about race, poverty, citizenship, and war. A must read.”
—Peniel Joseph, author of The Sword and the Shield: Revolutionary Lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Willow is pleased to announce the next wave of authors:
Amoja Sumler, University of Baltimore
Amoja Sumler is a recent graduate of the MFA program at the University of Baltimore.
American Foibles & Other ‘Merican Sins: A Gothic Noir
Dasan Ahanu, visiting professor at UNC-Chapel Hill
Christopher Massenburg, better known as Dasan Ahanu, is a public speaker, organizer, curator, educator, poet, spoken word artist, educator, songwriter, and emcee, and loyal Hip Hop head born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is co-founder and managing director of Black Poetry Theatre, a Durham-based theatre company that creates and produces original poetry and spoken word based productions.
Willow Books has released Shackled Freedom: Black Lives in the American South
Willow Arts Alliance Harlem Arts Salon, hosted by Randall and Ruby, 2018
Since 2012, LitFest has appeared in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Seattle, Minneapolis and Los Angeles. 2018 is the first New York appearance. A pioneer in the live streaming of literary events, LitFest is a signature program of Willow Books, a publisher that develops and promotes poets and writers of color. MORE
2018 WILLOW ARTS ALLIANCE NYC FELLOWS
Nkosi Nkululeko
Maria Fernanda Snellings
Nicholas Nichols
Our new group of fellows were featured in East Harlem, New York, along with special guests. 2020 Fellows application information coming soon.
Refugeed: Exodus Poems by Reginald Flood (2018)
Poetry collection based on slave narratives recorded by the Federal Writers’ Project of President Roosevelt’s Works Projects Administration. “Refugeed” slaves were conveyed away from the advance of Federal forces in the American South.
RECENT AUTHORS!
Latha Viswanathan has worked as a journalist, copywriter, editor and teacher in India, London, Manila, Montreal, Toronto and the United States. These stories have appeared in major American literary magazines and won awards. Her work received a grant from the Texas Commission of the Arts in Fiction, was published in Best New Stories from the South and broadcast on National Public Radio. She currently lives and writes in Houston.
Keisha-Gaye Anderson is a Jamaican-born poet, writer, visual artist, and media professional based in Brooklyn, NY. Her debut poetry collection Gathering the Waters (Jamii Publishing 2014) was accepted into the Poets House Library and the National Library of Jamaica. Her poetry collection, A Spell for Living, received the Editors’ Choice recognition for the 2017 Numinous Orisons, Luminous Origin Literary Award, and is forthcoming from Agape Editions in 2019 as a multimedia e-book, including music and Keisha’s original artwork. Keisha is a past participant of the VONA Voices and Callaloo writing workshops, a former fellow of the North Country Institute for Writers of Color, and was short-listed for the Small Axe Literary Competition. Most recently, she was named an Institute Scholar for the 2018 Writing from the Margins Institute at Bloomfield College. Keisha is a graduate of the Syracuse University Newhouse School and holds an M.F.A. in creative writing from The City College, CUNY.
Roberto Carlos Garcia’s book, Melancolía, is available from Červená Barva Press. His second collection, black / Maybe, will be published in spring 2018 by Willow Books. His poems and prose have appeared or are forthcoming in Those People, Rigorous, Academy of American Poets Poem-A-Day, The New Engagement, Public Pool, Stillwater Review, Gawker, Barrelhouse, Tuesday; An Art Project, The Acentos Review, Lunch Ticket, and many others. He is founder of the cooperative press Get Fresh Books, LLC. A native New Yorker, Roberto holds an MFA in Poetry and Poetry in Translation from Drew University, and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize.
DERRICK HARRIELL, WINNER OF THE MISSISSIPPI INSTITUTE OF ARTS & LETTERS POETRY AWARD
Our authors maintain the highest standards for literary excellence. The majority of our authors are in high demand around the country for readings, writers-in-residence programs, and university teaching. Congrats to Reginald Flood, National Endowment for the Arts Fellow, and Alan King, PEN/Faulkner Fellow.
Our popular line of books can be purchased directly in our SHOPIFY STORE
TOP RELEASES
CONGRATS to Derrick Harriell and ROPES–SPD Bestseller!
Willow Books LitFest—Annual All-Star reading featuring Willow poets and writers.
Appearances: The Smithsonian; Library of Congress; Weeksville Historical Society; Willow Authors on Tour (nationwide); Furious Flower Conference, Busboys & Poets; James Madison University; George Mason University; Associated Writing Programs (AWP); Midwest Modern Language Association (MMLA); Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature (SSML)/Michigan State University; PEN/Faulkner Writers in Schools: Split This Rock; Poets House; Pratt Women of Color collection; University of New Haven Reading Series; Winter Wheat Festival, Grand Valley State U. (w/Aquarius Press); Carr Center, Detroit; Annual LitFest (nationwide) Cave Canem/Willow Books New York Reading; Thurgood Marshall Ctr. for Service & Heritage, Washington, D.C.; Idlewild Writers Conference (w/Aquarius Press)
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