Voices Rising

It's difficult to express how humbled and honored I feel to be part of this new anthology. The work of New York's Other Countries writers laid the foundation for so much of what has happened in our literary community for the past 20 years. Their previous anthologies remain touchstones for me, and examples of the range and quality of the work of black gay writers. Being part of their new collection, 'rubbing pages' with the fantastic fellow contributors....it's a dream come true.

From the Redbone Press website:

Voices Rising: Celebrating 20 Years of Black Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Writing marks the twentieth anniversary of Other Countries—a small organization endeavoring to create a powerful, far-reaching, deliberate legacy of black queer expression. Voices Rising gathers more than sixty writers whose work forms an important bridge among members of black LGBT communities, charting two decades of evolution, accomplishment and struggle. The poems, short stories, essays, interviews and dramatic excerpts gathered here exemplify the personal, political and cultural complexities of identity, desire, family and community. In these pages established authors appear alongside emerging talents and heretofore unknown artists to compelling, historic effect. No other anthology so effectively represents the depth, breadth and brilliance of the current generation of black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender writers.

For those in the New York area this weekend, the men of Other Countries have organizes a book launch for this Saturday, January 20, 2007, at South Oxford Space (138 S. Oxford Street) Ft. Greene, Brooklyn (Call 917-364-1491 for more info). Staceyann Chin, Alexis DeVeaux, editor G. Winston James, Bil Wright (one of the best readers you're ever likely to hear).....and that's just the appetizer. You know you should be there!