Tayari's Blog: News
August 20, 2008
GCSU Convocation Address
On Tuesday evening, I had the honor of delivering the convocation 
address at Georgia College and State University. The full text of my remarks are below. (Photo is of me and President Dorothy Leland.)
Before I begin, I should tell you that I tried very hard to arrange my remarks to you this evening in a compelling rhetorical order. I was actually hoping that I could come up with something with a little bit of a rhyme. When the organizer told me that the theme of my talk should be “Reason, Responsibility, and Respect,” I thought “This should be easy. Reason, Responsibility, and Respect. It doesn’t exactly rhyme, but all that alliteration is good and there is a certain rhythm there." But as I worked on this speech, I was having the hardest time organizing my thoughts. Finally figured out the problem. My thoughts about the best advice for you, as you embark upon this, one of the most exciting and challenging phases of your life isn’t going to follow any rule book. There’s won’t be a catchy slogan, and it most certainly won’t rhyme. The purpose of education is resist order, explore chaos, and hopefully return not only with respect for the messiness and complication of life, but with a profound appreciation for the disorderliness of truth.
August 06, 2008
McSweeney's 28!
I just received my copy of McSweeney's 28. Wowza. I hope I can do it 
justice in this post. The assignment was for writers to write fables that both kids and adults can enjoy. The resulting stories are printed as small illustrated hardcover books, presented in a lovely box. The cover you see here is really four tiny volumes.
My story, "LaKeisha and The Dirty Girl" is in the lower right hand corner. I love the way it turned out. Love it. Love. It! The beautiful factor is off the chain.
Other contributers include Sarah Manguso, Nathan Eglander, Brian Evenson, Daniel Alarcon and many others.
July 23, 2008
Indiana Review 2008 Fiction Contest
I am the judge of the 2008 Indiana Review fiction contest, so I 
really urge you to enter. You can find the guidelines on their terrfic website. The entry fee is $15 and the deadline is October 15.
And speaking of Indiana Review. You may remember that fun Q&A with editor Abdel Shakur about the special issue all on funk. Two things: 1) The issue is out now. 2)Every Wednesday of this month there is a trvia giveaway contest on the Indiana Review blog. Today's entry hasn't been posted, but keep clicking.
July 11, 2008
Summer Page Burner
The Untelling has been listed by The Root as a "Summer Page 
Burner". Since I am out in the wilderness, I can't really keep up with the internet like I usually do. Vickie Beene-- BNH's 2nd Biggest Fan-- was kind enough to let me know about it.
You can see the full list of summer recommendations, here. And, (ahem), you can leave comments on The Root!
Blast From The Past
Michael Fischer brought this to my attention, a 2002 Mississippi Public Broadcast interview with "first-time author", Tayari Jones. I remember this taping. I was so young and nervous. Watching it gave me a little boost. I was thinking, "I remember that young lady."
July 02, 2008
Around the World in A Day
I am very excited to report that I am going to address FEMRITE, a Ugandan women's writers organization on July 17-- and I don't even need my passport. The US State Department, which extended the invitation, has arranged for me to take part in a teleconfrence. The theme of the event is "Telling The Unfmailiar Story" with an emphasis on using contemporary literature to talk about history. I hope that I will be able to get some photos emailed to me from the Ugandan side of the conversation. More details to come!
May 01, 2008
Glamour Girl
I could have not have been feeling less glamorous when I got the call. Imagine me at my desk, pumped full of day-quil, trying to mark student papers when the phone rings. On the other end is a very enthusiastic reporter from Glamour . Guess what? They are going to do a short report on the fundraiser we did for the Dunbar Village survivors! So check out the July issue, which will be available in June. Look in the news section, under the heading AWESOME WOMEN!
April 06, 2008
Happy Dance! Blue Mountain Here I Come!
Although Rigoberto has chided me that this photo lacks subtlety, I must post it anyway 
because I am so so thrilled to tell you that I was accepted by the Blue Mountain Center residency program.
I usually apply to several residencies each summer to assure myself a place. This year, I was caught up in all manner of interpersonal drama, so I missed the January 1 deadlines.
I have learned my lesson. Being a generally win-some/lose-some sort of writer, it has been a long time since I have been on pins and needles over an application. The acceptance letter was just one page, making the envelope (from the outside at least)eerily similar to the smack-down from MacDowell. I stood in front of the mailbox turning the thing over in my hands. I pinched it and thought I felt something that might have been a RSVP envelope inside.
It was! I'm in! I'm going!
March 27, 2008
Stonecoast On Line!
I just got word from Annie Finch that the reading that I did for the Stonecoast MFA prgram is available streaming on line and as a podcast. Don't you just love technology?
There are a lot of cool things on the Maine Humanities Council website, definitely worth checking out. And here is the direct link to the mp3 of my reading.
What a terrific experience I had out there. Good folks. Good times.
March 03, 2008
Winter In Vermont!
The Vermont Studio Center is different from many other artist colonies in that part of the deal is that there is on-site instruction, as well as the opportunity to just hunker down and write. I will be giving a craft class, a reading, as well as one-on-one sessions with interested writers.
Interested? Check out their website. And apply sooner than later so that you can have a better chance of getting your preferred time slot.
(And here is some unsolicited advice from me: Go ahead and apply even if you aren't sure what your life will look like in December. So often, we don't put in for opportunities because we are hung up on "what-if". Just apply and if your schedule doesn't allow you to attend, you can just decline. But go ahead and apply. Even if you don't apply for this, apply for something. Put yourself out there. It's the only way you'll get something back.)
February 26, 2008
Hot Fun In The Summertime!
Working on a coming-of-age story? I am teaching a course called "Tales From The Kidscape" at the Split Rock Arts Program at the University of Minnesota.
In this workshop setting we will critique each other's writing as well as read the work of published authors. I decided to focus on the coming of age story because I really enjoy writing and reading stories with young protagonists that are not YA titles. (Not that there is anything wrong with YA.)
I coined the term "kidscape" because I believe that young people occupy a separate world than adults. Think about it: The Kidscape has a lot in common with life in another country-- it's got its own food, dress, language, etc. Its inhabitants even live under a very specialised set of rules and regulation. Really really getting a grip on this concept is the key to writing realistic young characters.
Interested? Sign up! The class is a week long. And while you're at it, check out the other offerings. Classes last only one week, but there are five weeks worth of classes to choose from-- in all kinds of art!
February 19, 2008
My Post- The Color Purple Complex
I have a guest post up at Persephone Speaks, the blog for Kore Press. The essay stems from an recent enounter on an airplane:
A few months ago, before the media coverage of Clinton/Obama contest pressured black women to decide if we are "women" before we are "black," I sat beside a black man on an airplane. Since such close quarters lend themselves to small talk, he asked me what I do for a living.
“I’m a writer,” I said.
“Oh,” he said. “What do you write? Romances?”
“Nope.”
He gave me a sideways glance. “So you have a problem with men?”
Read the rest. Leave a comment on our home blog if you like, but comments over at Persephone Speaks are welcome as well.
February 04, 2008
February Fever and Beyond
I've got a piece in the new issue of The Believer called "Symbolism and Cynicism: On Being a Writer During Black History Month."Here's a sneak peak:
There is something obscene about McDonald’s restaurants in the greater Washington, D.C., area handing out copies of A Raisin in the Sun while they push unhealthy foods on African American children. Although universities are not seeking to make a monetary profit from Black History Month, I am sometimes uneasy in the moments before my talk when the organizer professes a commitment to diversity and tolerance and then invites me to the stage as defense exhibit A.
You can read the whole article at The Believer. If you've got comments, of course, you can post them here. (I love your comments.) But you can also send letters to the editor of the magazine.
January 10, 2008
"Writers" to Air January 1oth
Although there only thing more horrifying than hearing my own voice on a tape recording is seeing myself on video.. here is a promo for "Writers," an interview show I did for Mississippi Public Radio last year.
October 13, 2007
October 03, 2007
Who Knew I Was A Dixie Chick?
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of visiting Macon State College via video conference. A few months ago, Professor Sharon Colley emailed to tell me that she was teaching a course called "Dixie Chicks: Southern Women Writers." My first novel, Leaving Atlanta, would be on the syllabus and would I be interested in being beamed into the classroom? As you know, I am always happy to do events in my home state and secondly, I love all things technological.
We had a good meeting. The students went smart and lively-- so much so that Leaving Atlanta, a book I finished almost a decade ago, came alive again in my imagination. When I returned to my office, I really couldn't concentrate on the papers I was trying to grade. Something about the exchange with readers made me feel like a writer and I was itching to work on my new novel.
So, to Professor Colley and her wonderful class, I'd like to say thanks.
(a couple more pix here)
August 07, 2007
Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award
I am happy to announce that I am the fiction judge for this year's Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award. (The poetry judge is Frank X. Walker.) This wonderful opportunity has been around since 1984 and is sponsored by Poets and Writers.
Each year, the contest is open to emerging writers from a single state-- this time it's WASHINGTON, DC. The winners will be flown to New York for five days-- all expenses paid. While in NYC, they will give a public reading and meet with agents, editors, and publishers.
Truck on over to PW for more info and get your applications ready!
June 12, 2007
Tayari On The Air!
Back in February, I was interviewed by Angela Elam for her radio show, New Letters On The Air. The good news is that it is available on podcast. The bad news is that it won't be available until next week. However, since I sort of talked Angela to death, she has posted all of the extra footage.
I went to the New Letters site. When I saw the following:
Listen here to find out more about Tayari Jones' personal life, including how she got her name.
My heart went in my stomach. I remember being very comfortable at the interview, but I didn't think I got that loose... But really, it's not as scandalous as all of that. If you have time, give a listen.
For other formats (Real, Windows Media) visit the New Letters On The Air page and look for my face. I'll post again when the full interview is podcast.
May 18, 2007
TJ on TV in AZ!
Just a reminder to Arizona folks. Arizona PBS will air an interview 
with me and my mentor, Ron Carlson, this weekend. The program, Books & Co., will be broadcast on Sunday, May 20th, at 4:30 pm.
Here's the photo album from the taping.
And here's a transcript and (oh baby!) PODCAST.
May 02, 2007
My Rookie Card
Cool, is it not? To see more, here. And here. And here. Ron Davis is the man that makes it happen. Much love to him for letting me be the token novelist!
April 04, 2007
Happy Dance! MacDowell Here I Come
I've just got the news! I'll be spending eight weeks this summer at The MacDowell Colony in Peterborough, New Hampshire.
I been to many many colonies, but MacDowell is my favorite. It's a nice space, so you feel pampered, but not so fancy that you feel that you should be eating bonbons rather than writing. I also love that MacDowell is pretty egalitarian. All the studios are unique, but they are pretty much equal.
(This is in comparison to, say, Yaddo. Over there, some people stay in what was once the suite of rooms reserved for the lady of the house. Others of us were assigned to what used to be maid's quarters. I suppose there is nothing that can be done about that-- Yaddo was built as a mansion for the super-rich and the architecture is what it is. Nevertheless, it's hard not to spend the first week you're there wondering how they go about assigning the rooms.)
Anyway, I am just thrilled to be making a return visit to MacD. (Lunch is delivered each day in a picnic basket!) I have applied three times since my first visit back in 2002 and have been denied, denied, denied. I starting wondering if I had done something to annoy them. (Did I eat too much? Monopolize the laundry facilities???)
I'll take photos, etc while I am there and I will probably feature quite a few guest bloggers. If you have any ideas of who I should solicit, give a holler.
April 03, 2007
Leaving Atlanta, The Movie?
I am thrilled to tell you that Aletha Spann of 30Nineteen Productions has renewed her option on the film rights for Leaving Atlanta. I know this is just the first step on the road toward seeing the story on the screen, but it an encouraging development, indeed.
Did I tell you that I once tried to sit down and write a screenplay for Leaving Atlanta? (I was motivated by the odd experience of finding a screenplay for the novel sitting on my doorstep when I got home one day.) I thought it would be easy- afterall, I know that book better than I know my own hand. Also, when I was at MacDowell a few years back I met a very very famous and successful novelist/screenwriter who told me that he can adapt a novel for screen in three days. He just pretends to take longer so his employers will feel like they are getting thier money's worth!
I bought the screen writing software, and wrote the first scene. It was so difficult. I had to take a nap. I have since uninstalled the software and I am leaving that movie aspect of things to the movie people.
March 30, 2007
Cesar Chavez High School
On Tuesday, I visited with Ms. Ventura's English Class at Chavez High
School in North East DC. The morning got off to a breathtaking start because my Spelman Sister, Jamilla, and I were so busy talking on the way to the school that we found ourselves driving west in an eastbound lane. (Mr. Truck Driver, whoever you are, thank you for letting us live.)
I was already a little nervous about the visit. Usually, I get invited to school to talk about Leaving Atlanta, but this group wanted to read The Untelling. As you know, there are some heavy things going on in that book! I wasn't sure where to start, but the young people took the wheel. We talked about hard issues-- whether babies serve as "glue" for relationships and other thoroughly adult topics. It was a wonderful visit. I hope the kids took me seriously when I told them to stay in touch.
March 15, 2007
Callaloo Creative Writing Workshops
This August, I will be leading a fiction workshop at the Callaloo Creative Writing Workshops in College Station, Texas. Callaloo is a premiere literary journal, showcasing African Diaspora writers throughout the diaspora. A few years ago, editor Charles Rowell set up summer workshops to allow writing students a chance to work with working writers. This summer has a dynamite line up. In poetry, there is Tracy K. Smith and Terrance Hayes. The fiction faculty will be me and Mat Johnson.
The details are below, but act quickly, the post mark deadline is April 2!
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Category:
News
, The Writing Life
March 13, 2007
Rutgers-Camden Summer Writers' Conference
I've just signed on to teach a workshop at the Rutgers-Camden Summer Writers' Conference. The confernce offers ten days of workshops, readings, and professional panels. This conference is open to writers in fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
The cost varies, depending on whether or not you want to get college credit for attending. If you are just attending for the experience of it, the cost is only $450.
One of my goals here at the blog is to help get the word out about writing opportunities, so feel free to cute and paste the message and send to your folks.
Posted at 09:23 AM | Comments (0)
Category:
News
, Travels & Rambles
March 11, 2007
Key West Literary Seminars
Spring has sprung and the memory of cold weather is behind you already. I hate to be the voice of reason, but remember that winter will be here again before you know it. Make plans now to visit Key West in January. I will be taking part in the Key West Literary Seminar for next year and I wanted to let you all know about it.
The program is two-fold. There are the seminars and the workshop. The workshop lasts four days and members of the 8-12 member class will learn from established writers. The seminars are panel discussions and such about writing, and the writing life. There are two seminar sessions, and, sadly the first is already sold out. Act now to take part in sesson two. Or, if you prefer, just register for the workshop.
I've never been to Key West, but by all accounts it's a pretty swanky destination. You'll see that the tuition is not too pricey ($450 for the seminar), and there is some financial aid available and even a special grant earmarked for teachers and librarians.
Check it out. I'd love to see you there.
Posted at 06:05 PM | Comments (0)
Category:
News
, The Writing Life
March 09, 2007
The Outside Child
Below is the excerpt of my novel-in-progress, presented as a headline reading at the 2007 AWP Conference, held in Atlanta, Georigia. (February 28-March 3)
My father, James Witherspoon, is a married man. He’s been that way since before I was born, when he met my mother, Gwendolyn, at Davidson’s downtown. She was working in gift-wrap at the time, and he came to her counter with the electric carving knife that he had bought his wife for their ninth anniversary. My mother says she knew that something wasn’t right between a man and a woman when the gift is a blade. I say that maybe that means that there was a kind of trust between them, that he thought he could give her such a weapon and still sleep peacefully at night. But I don’t have to tell you that my mother and I tend to see things a little bit differently.
The point is that James’s marriage was never hidden from us. “James” is what I call him. His other daughter, Chaurisse, the one who grew up in the house with him, she calls him Poppy, even now.
When most people think of bigamy, if they think of it at all, they imagine some bizarre practice taking place on the pages of National Geographic. Some of us in Atlanta remember one sect of the Back-to-Africa movement, headquartered in the West End. The women were dealt out four to each man. From time to time, you can still see them, resplendent in white trailing six paces behind their mutual husband. If you spend anytime in beauty parlors, you will hear tales of new widows surprised at the funeral by the other grieving widow and her five kids.
It’s a shame that there isn’t a true name for a woman like my mother, Gwendolyn. My father James is a bigamist. That is what he is. Laverne is his wife. She found him first and my mother has always respected the other woman’s squatter’s rights. But was my mother his wife, too? She stood with him in front of a judge just over the state line in Alabama, but to call her only his “wife” doesn’t really explain the full complexity of her position.
March 02, 2007
New Letters on The Air
I had the most delightful experience this afternoon. Angela Elam interviewed me for New Letters on the Air, a terrific nationally syndicated radio program. (When the interview is up, I will link here, of course.) I have done quite a few radio interviews and I am sorry to say that your average radio interview consists of the host reading the press release and figuring out questions he can ask based on that. On a few occaisions, I've been forced to write the questions out so the interviewer can have something to say!
So, imaging how pleased I was to meet Angela who can for the 
interview with copies of both my books looking well-read. She asked such wonderful, though-provoking questions that I would have been content to talk to her all afternoon-- and maybe I would have if we didn't run out of tape. We talked about everything from the craft of writing to the politics of publishing. Angela is a sharp woman, I feel lucky to have been interviewed by her.
Posted at 12:37 AM | Comments (1)
Category:
Current Events
, News
March 01, 2007
Crossing the Line
Yesterday, Lee Smith and I were on the program at The Margaret Mitchell House. The title of our program was "Crossing The Line." We each gave a short reading and then talked to each other about what it means to be a southern woman writer today.
If you have ever been around Lee Smith, you know what a dynamic presence she is. We talked aout the hard stuff and even managed to make it funny. I think we established that there is such a thing as southern writing-- there is so much common ground between us despite the obvious differences of generation, race, urban/rural. I am usually fairly apprehensive about the question of "what is universal", but talking with Lee Smith made me think that real connections that cross the line are indeed possible.
The crowd at the Margaret Mitchell House was sparkling and just plain fun. The Atlanta Writers Club was in attendance, the Margaret Mitchell subcribers, and just regular folk. Several members of this blog community showed up-- which always pleases me. I took lots of photos, but I lost my page with everyone's name and correct spelling. So, if you see yourself and the name is wrong or mangled, email me and I will fix it right away.
Well, I am tired tired tired. It's only day 2 of AWP. I don't know if I have what it takes to make it through Saturday.
Posted at 12:40 PM | Comments (0)
Category:
Book Tour
, News
January 04, 2007
Congrats to CL Contest Winners
Last night, there was a strange gathering at Eyedrum, an Atlanta gallery.(By strange I mean, men in blood-spattered tank tops, a nurse wearing white leather and platform shoes, and the plastic corpses piled in the corners.)
The gallery, Eyedrum, is located on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. If you have read any of my novels, you will know that I know MLK Dr. like the back of my hand. Or so I thought. Eyedrum is on the *other* side of MLK, near the Oakland Cemetery which houses such dead celebrities as Margaret Mitchell and Maynard Jackson. Who knew there were galleries, lofts, etc way out there? Not me, and not Natasha Trethewey who was riding shotgun.
Existential Question: What is urban renewal? When you get lost in your own hometown.
But enough of my musing. The point of the gathering (and the point of the post) was to celebrate the winners of this year's Creative Loafing Atlanta Fiction Contest. (The theme of the contest was BLOOD, which accounts for all the party-strangeness.)
After serving as one of the judges, it was a great pleasure to meet the writers in the flesh after first meeting them on the page. Congrats to Brett Bender and the other winners! You can find their stories on the CL web site.
November 07, 2006
"Writers" on Mississipi Public Broadcasting
A few weeks ago, I received a message from Edie Greene asking if I would like to be on "Writers", a series that runs of Mississipi 
public TV. When I was just at the very start of my career, I did an interview with Gene Edwards and he remembered me. Would I like to come back and be on "Writers."
To tell you the truth, I didn't have time. My life is nuts. I am teaching, writing, giving readings, and chasing The Brand New Heavies all over the country. My plate is full. But I liked Edie Greene and I did remember the Gene Edwards interview. It was my first time doing television and I was scared to pieces. I remembered Gene Edwards as an intellegent and kind man who made me forget I was even on TV. So, I said yes, and I am glad I did.
The interview was a roundtable affair with me, Ellen Douglas, and Suzanne Hudson. We are three southern women writers representing three generations and three different worlds. We talked about what he had in common and we discussed the ways that our lives and out writing differ. Gene Edwards was a perfect fascilitator, tossing easy pitches but pitching a curve ball every now and then. Gene kept the conversation lively and intense. (And, might I add, he was wearing a gorgeous suit!)
The show will air in May. I'll let you know when they post the link!
November 04, 2006
And The Winner Was...
not me, but The Untelling did get a runner-up award. Notice that I mention this up front. I didn't make you read through my whole post to find out. (In this, I am trying to lead by example.)
The Hurston/Wright Awards were held at the D.C. Press Club last night. It was a fancy affair-- $125 tickets, after-five attire. I kept it simple, black tea-length dress, silver shoes, bag, hair 
ornaments. There were many celebrities there-- by this I mean people you can actually recognize, not just writers. S. Epatha Makerson, the "sister from Law and Order" was the M.C. She was a little bit toned-down than she was in the 2002 ceremony. The highlight of that event was her quip to David Anthony Durham who, in his acceptance speech thanked his wife for all the sacrifices she had made for his career. When Madame M.C. returned to the mike, she said, "She worked while you were sitting home working on that book! Umph. That better be a good book!" This time, she made jokes about having a pay alimony to her ex-husband. When Baltimore publisher, Paul Coates, upon receiving the North Star Award thanked his ex-wife, Ms. M.C. gave her hearty approval. "Now that's what I'm talking about!"
This year, H/W upgraded the statuettes. In previous years, winner received a statuette that looked like the Oscar, but black. (By that 
I mean they were black and they were BLACK.) But now the winners are given figures of Egyptian gods.
July 11, 2006
The Untelling Gets H/W Nod
The Untelling has been nominated for the 2006 Hurston/Wright Legacy Award! As you can see, the competition is pretty stiff, but it really is an honor to be nominated. Here are the contenders:
Joplin 's Ghost (Atria Books) by Tananarive Due
Pride of Carthage (Doubleday)by David Anthony Durham
The Untelling (Warner Books) by Tayari Jones
Dancing in the Dark (Alfred A. Knopf) by Caryl Phillips
My Jim (Crown Publishing) by Nancy Rawles
Third Girl From the Left (Houghton Mifflin) by Martha Southgate
Click here to find out more about H/W and to see the nominees in the other categories.
May 14, 2006
Pop A Cork-- Rutgers, Here I Come
It's official. In 2007, I will join the faculty at Rutgers University, Newark Campus. Yes, this means that I will get to live in New York, and it also means that I will be able to be a part of a really exciting M.F.A program. Rutgers-Newark is not only the most diverse college campus in the country, but it will be home to a truly urban M.F.A. program.
April 26, 2006
I *Heart* Target
I am thrilled to pieces that Target has chosen The Untelling as a "breakout book"! This means it will be featured in all 1,431 Target stores all around the country.
Are you thinking: "They sell books at Target?"
Yes, they do. And I think that Target just may be our new favorite bookstore.
April 05, 2006
Pop a Cork!-- JMM Writer In Residence
More happy-dancing is in order. I've just found out that I will be the 2006 Jenny McKean Moore Writer in Residence at George Washington University. It's a sweet gig. Low teaching load, cool Foggy Bottom Housing, and of course THIS MEANS ANOTHER YEAR IN DC!
Here's the good part: The Jenny McKean Moore writer in residence also offers a FREE community writing class for people in the DC Area. There will be more details to come, but if you would be interested in participating the class, comment and I will put you on the list of people to send more information!
March 24, 2006
Happy Dance: Toronto Bound
I love good news! I just got word that I was accepted to the Gibraltar Point Artist Residency in Toronto! It's like summer camp for writers!
March 04, 2006
Well, It *is* Oscar Weekend
I was trying to keep this low, but my good friend Jacqueline let me know that my buisiness is already in the street, so I'll announce it here. Aletha Spann of 30Nineteen Productions has optioned film rights for LEAVING ATLANTA.
Of course, an option is just one baby step toward actually having a movie made, but it's fun to sort of think of the possibilities.
I mean, how would a person cast LEAVING ATLANTA? One of the fun things would be finding kid actors. And how refreshing it would be to see a black movie without all the usual suspects. Not that I have anything against the black actors who have acheived success, but it will be nice to see some fresh faces.
As everyone knows, I don't have a TV. And I hardly ever make it to the movies. So, I am asking you all who you would cast for the grown up parts? Who would be Octavia's mother? What about Rodney's dad? And we can't forget the uptight teacher, Mr. Harrell. I wonder if they would let me be in, just in a bit part. I'd love to put on a hairnet and play the role of the compassionate cafeteria lady!
February 06, 2006
Leaving Atlanta en espanol
El Cobre, a publisher in Spain, has released a Spanish translation of Leaving Atlanta ! Check out the cover art. Which do you prefer, the Spanish or American version?
Espana: 
OR
U.S.A.: 
(Okay, so I clicked on google to translate the review. It's kind of funny. The father is described as a "despotic castrator." I wish my Spanish was good enough for me to translate it myself. I am pretty sure that the well meaning google-bot is missing something....)
January 18, 2006
The Norton Anthology
Tomorrow, Thursday January 18, at 11am (EST), I will get to talk with M.H. Abrahms, the founding editor of The Norton Anthology of English Literature. The conversation will be on the NPR radio show, "On Point" which is broadcast from Boston's NPR station, WBUR. Click here to see if you can listen on your radio. But if you can't, tune in for the web broadcast (live) or the podcast (listen in later!).
Think about it.. haven't you ever wondered how certain authors and writers get to be "classic"? Well, this time tomorrow, we will know for sure. (And of course, I'll give my perspective.)
If you plan to tune in while I work, I promise to keep it clean. (smile)
December 17, 2005
Ah, The Joy of UNDERRATION
No, I didn't say ADORATION, I said UNDERRATION. The creators of the blog, The Syntax Of Things, asked prominent literary bloggers to list writers for the 2005 list of under-rated writers. I am proud to have been nominated for this distinction by C.A.A. Frye of the blog, Tingle Alley. Check out the whole list. What a kick to be in such good company. Question: Which new books do you think deserve more attention?
November 30, 2005
Tayari's THIRTY-FIVE
I've got Stevie Wonder on my iPod. "Happy Birthday to ya! Haaaapppy Biiirrthday!" And of course, there's red velvet cake. And vodka gimlets. And very good shoes. And very very very good friends. Thanks everyone for such a good year. Love, Tayari
October 25, 2005
Leaving Atlanta Goes Back To Press
I've just gotten good news from my publisher, Warner Books. Leaving Atlanta is under-going a fifth printing in paperback!
October 11, 2005
T.J. in D.C.
I am happy to let everybody know that I will be moving to D.C. next year for six months! January through June. I'll be a writer in residence at George Washington University. It's such a great school, such a great city, terrific department. Who could ask for anything more?
October 05, 2005
The Untelling wins a prize!
Okay, for some of you this may sound familiar. But here's the *official* announcement: The Untelling has been awarded the Lillian C. Smith Award for New Voices. I'm pretty excited about it. Lillian Smith was a writer with a conscience, which, I think, is the most important attribute of a writer. Past winners include Alice Walker, Maddison Smartt Bell, Ernest Gaines. The awards ceremony is October 15th in Athens, GA.
August 08, 2005
A New Bit of Info on the Child Murders Case
That AJC reported recently that there are tapes which may link white supremacists groups to the Atlanta Child Murders. I actually remember these tapes being played on the news about fifteen years ago. It's a trip to see how reading the names brings back memories. The missing child mentioned in this article is Lubie Geter. Just reading the name makes me remember. While in Atlanta this weekend I met two women who wanted to talk to me aboout growing up in ATL during this terrible time. Everytime I talk to people whose childhoods overlapped with my own I write their stories down in the book I carry with me in my heart.
July 20, 2005
We Speak Your Name: More From Pearl
So many folks visit my blog looking for news about Pearl Cleage's poem, "We Speak Your Name." I have some good news! Here is a direct quote from Miz Cleage herself!
It will be published by Ballentine late in the year as a gift book. There will be pictures of me reading the poem and lovely lovely photos of all of the women who attended the function at Oprah's!
There you have it.
July 13, 2005
PEANUT IS BACK HOME!
So many of your wrote in helpful suggestions for my friend, Stephanie, who has just moved to Atlanta. And I am sure that many of you read her grateful responses. Then, she wrote in when I was looking for "Lost and Found" stories-- just after moving to Atlanta her dog, Peanut ran away! Well, she just wrote in that Peanut is back home safe. See, there is such a thing as a happy ending.
May 21, 2005
More on the Atlanta Child Murders
As I promised last week, I have written an op-ed for the AJC about the reopening of the Atlanta Child Murders case...
May 14, 2005
More on the Child Murders Case
I know that I promised to write more about my feelings about The Atlanta Child Murders case being reopened. Since then, I have promised to write a piece for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, so I have been collecting and organizing my thoughts for that piece. I will post it here when I am done. I promise.
It's Review Season: The Boston Globe
Good news from up north!
May 07, 2005
It's Review Season: The Believer
From the May issue!
May 02, 2005
It's Review Season II: The AJC
This just in from my hometown paper.
April 17, 2005
It's Review Season: The Washington Post
This is just in from The Washington Post. Kind of exciting.
March 27, 2005
PRINTED and BOUND
I am happy to announce that The Untelling has been printed and bound. There's the bell. Round two has officially begun.
March 17, 2005
Mariah and Me
So, the Essence magazine article is out. I'm in the issue where Mariah Carey is officially crowned at "the most mis-understood black woman in America." (And just think, for all these years, I thought I was the undisputed winner of that particular title.)
February 08, 2005
Essence Magazine
It's true-- I will be featured in the April issue of Essence Magazine. And if what we have seen in previous issues of Essence is any indication, I'll be so beautiful even my own mother won't recognize me.
Black Expressions Book Club
More good news! The Untelling has been chosen as a Main Selection for the Black Expressions Book Club. This means that everyone who forgets to mail back her "no thanks" card, like it or not, gets a copy of The Untelling.