Member Spotlight: Kathya Alexander

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? Growing up during the Civil Rights Movement greatly impacted my life and greatly influenced my novel, Keep A’Livin’. My plays are contemporary explorations of how Black culture influences America and how living in America impacts African Americans. Particularly during this time of anti-DEI where history is literally being erased from textbooks, museums, and other media, it is more important than ever to highlight Black voices and tell the truth about the influence of Black culture to this country.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? DEADLINES! Whether it’s performances, grants, or editors deadlines, I know I can’t miss them and still get paid/published/respected. So as long as I’ve got a deadline, I can’t afford writers block.

What is your favorite time to write? late night

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? Be true to yourself and the voice you hear – no matter that it is not popular, or sound and look like most things that get published, tell your own truth just the way it comes to you. Because it it’s not authentic, the reader/audience will know and will not take the journey with you.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? Affecting/validating/celebrating Black people’s lives and experiences.

Kathya Alexander’s Keep A’Livin’ is out now with ‎Aunt Lute Books.