What is the biggest source of inspiration for your writing? Who would you say are your influences?

My biggest sources of inspiration are other writers, especially debut writers, who I’m coming to realize were, at one point, in a similar space I’m in right now. My influences are whoever I’m reading right now — like Black short story authors Sidik Fofana and Nafissa Thompson-Spires, and OGs James Alan McPherson and Diane Oliver. They all prove to me this writing thing is a real thing, and your words can reach people and make a difference.

How did you find out about the fellowship? What did it feel like to get that acceptance?

I found out about the fellowship while scrolling the Poet & Writers awards newsletter. I applied close to the deadline, and really didn’t give it another thought because I knew the chances of me actually winning the fellowship was, no chance. After the acceptance email went to my junk mail and I was finally able to contact Taylor via a frantic text, it took a minute for the news to sink in that I was chosen as a fellow. I was happy, excited, in utter disbelief, and a bit scared about what this really meant for me personally and as a writer.

How does your identity shape your work?

Who I am as an American of African descent, a straight woman, a daughter, a mom, a grandmother, a preacher, a friend, all play a part in shaping me as a human being, which in turn shapes my identity, which in turn shapes my work.

What is the ideal next step in your writing journey? When/where can we expect to see you sharing your work with the world?

My next step is to continue writing! And keep applying to stuff I don’t believe I have any chance of getting! LOL. I’m looking forward to summer workshop season, and I hope to be able to attend a few, learn more about craft, meet more writers in person, and keep moving forward.

Do you have any dream collaborators? Publishing houses? Credits? Blurbs?

I am very new. I don’t even have dream collaborators or a dream publisher. But getting a blurb from Deesha Philyaw would be a dream come true indeed!

When did you know you were meant to be on your writing journey?

Getting the fellowship was a huge sign that I was meant to be on my writing journey. In 2023 I had gotten into a few of the “high-end” summer workshops (minus scholarships), but didn’t attend because the cost was prohibitive. I admit I felt somewhat stuck after that, in an almost but not-quite-there place until the fellowship came along.

Did you have any hesitation when applying for the fellowship? What helped you decide to pursue the opportunity?

I had no real hesitation, because I believed the chance of me actually getting the fellowship was so low. I think what help me decide to purse this opportunity was the fact I was so new to the fellowship I didn’t have lots of outside voices telling me I didn’t have the experience or the publishing background to apply or become a successful fellow.

What are you working on right now?

I’m currently working on a short story that plays off of the story I submitted for the fellowship. It will hopefully become part of a collection of stories all revolving around one event — a funeral. The stories are connected to each other by underlying themes of death, grief, loss, and mourning.